A family at a crossroads, symbolizing the intersection of faith and acceptance.

Faith and Family: How Mormon Parents Navigate a Child's Sexual Identity

Avery Sinclair in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the challenges and triumphs of Mormon families when a child comes out."

In an era marked by evolving societal norms and increasing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, families rooted in traditional religious beliefs often find themselves at a crossroads. This is particularly true for Mormon families, where the core doctrine emphasizes heterosexual marriage and traditional family structures. When a child comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+), it can create tension between deeply held religious convictions and the unconditional love a parent feels for their child.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has maintained its stance on traditional marriage while also encouraging members to show compassion and understanding towards those who experience same-sex attraction. This duality presents unique challenges for Mormon parents, who strive to reconcile their faith with their desire to support and accept their children.

This article explores the experiences of Mormon parents navigating their child's sexual identity. By examining a real-life case study, we delve into the complexities, struggles, and ultimately, the triumphs of families who choose love and acceptance while remaining committed to their faith. This journey offers valuable lessons for fostering inclusivity and understanding within religious communities.

The Initial Shock: Confronting Heterosexism

A family at a crossroads, symbolizing the intersection of faith and acceptance.

When Mormon parents first learn that their child identifies as LGBTQ+, their initial reaction may be rooted in what is known as “heterosexism.” This term, coined by Gregory Herek, describes an ideological system that denies, stigmatizes, and denigrates any non-heterosexual form of behavior, identity, relationship, or community. For many, this isn’t a conscious rejection but a deeply ingrained perspective shaped by cultural and religious teachings.

Some parents may initially view their child's sexual orientation as something to be “fixed,” leading them to seek conversion therapy or other interventions aimed at changing their child's identity. Such approaches can be deeply harmful and are often based on a misunderstanding of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Denial and Confusion: Difficulty accepting the reality of their child's sexual orientation.
Seeking Explanations: Searching for reasons or causes, sometimes blaming external factors.
Fear and Worry: Concerns about their child's future, social acceptance, and spiritual well-being.
Guilt and Self-Blame: Questioning their parenting and feeling responsible for their child's identity.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all Mormon parents respond with rejection or attempts to change their child. Many strive to understand and accept their child while staying true to their beliefs. This path requires education, empathy, and a willingness to challenge their own preconceptions.

Moving Forward: Fostering Understanding and Acceptance

The journey of Mormon parents navigating their child's sexual identity is not always easy, but it is ultimately a testament to the power of love and the potential for understanding. By embracing education, empathy, and open communication, families can bridge the gap between faith and acceptance, creating supportive environments where all members feel valued and loved. This journey is not just about individual families; it's about building more inclusive and compassionate communities where diversity is celebrated and everyone can thrive.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is heterosexism and how does it affect Mormon parents when a child comes out as LGBTQ+?

Heterosexism, as defined by Gregory Herek, is an ideological system that devalues non-heterosexual identities, behaviors, and relationships. When a child identifies as LGBTQ+, Mormon parents may initially react based on heterosexist perspectives, which are often deeply ingrained by religious teachings and cultural norms. This can lead to denial, confusion, fear, and sometimes, a desire to 'fix' the child's sexual orientation through harmful practices like conversion therapy. Recognizing and understanding heterosexism is a crucial first step for Mormon parents in fostering acceptance and support for their LGBTQ+ children.

How does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' stance on marriage and LGBTQ+ individuals impact Mormon families?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes traditional marriage while also encouraging compassion and understanding toward those experiencing same-sex attraction. This duality creates unique challenges for Mormon parents. They must reconcile their faith, which upholds traditional family structures, with their unconditional love for their LGBTQ+ children. This reconciliation requires navigating complex emotions and often necessitates a process of education, empathy, and open communication within the family to create a supportive environment.

What are some common initial reactions Mormon parents have when their child comes out, and how do these reactions vary?

Initial reactions from Mormon parents can vary widely. Some experience denial, confusion, fear about their child's future, social acceptance, and spiritual well-being, or even feelings of guilt and self-blame. Others may seek explanations, sometimes blaming external factors. However, it's important to recognize that not all Mormon parents react negatively. Many strive to understand and accept their child while remaining true to their beliefs. This path involves education, empathy, and a willingness to challenge their own preconceptions. The diverse responses highlight the varied journeys within Mormon families.

What steps can Mormon families take to foster understanding and acceptance of their LGBTQ+ child?

Fostering understanding and acceptance involves several crucial steps. Parents should seek education about sexual orientation and gender identity to dispel misinformation and challenge heterosexist biases. Empathy is key; parents need to put themselves in their child's shoes and understand their experiences. Open and honest communication is essential for building trust and creating a supportive environment where the child feels valued and loved. This journey requires bridging the gap between faith and acceptance. It's about creating more inclusive and compassionate communities where diversity is celebrated.

Why is it important for Mormon families to navigate their child's sexual identity with love and acceptance, and what broader impact does this have?

Navigating a child's sexual identity with love and acceptance is a testament to the power of unconditional love. It is a critical step towards creating supportive and inclusive environments within faith-based communities. By choosing love and understanding, Mormon families can bridge the gap between religious beliefs and acceptance, allowing all family members to thrive. This impacts not only the individual family but also contributes to the broader societal shift towards acceptance and celebration of diversity. It emphasizes the importance of compassion, empathy, and education in building more inclusive and compassionate communities.