Mormonism + Christianity + Pride 2025

The very public breakup of the two narcissists who were trying to be co-presidents of the US is so, so delicious. The anti-Gestapo protesters in Los Angeles will be remembered as heroes for generations. Trump is shitting his diaper and trying to sound like the strong dictator he desperately wishes he was. Don't forget to join one of the many, many protests scheduled for Saturday the 14th when he throws a very expensive military parade for himself like dictators do. Remember that he literally does not have the resources to suppress that many protests.

I recently spent some time with extended family for a few days and thought it was sad how when the two families got together, most of their conversations revolved around Mormonism. There's so much more to the world than Mormonism. My two oldest cousins on that side have just graduated from high school and are going on Mormon missions soon. I've only been out of Mormonism for three years, so I shouldn't be surprised that some young people still unironically believe in it, but I kind of am. I donated my temple clothes to my cousin because I'm cool like that. My uncle, the only believing family member who ever asked me why I left, said to let him know if I ever want them back. I just said, "Sure." It's unwise to think you know how your life will go, but I'm certain I have a better chance of being killed by a falling piece of the International Space Station than returning to Mormonism. I'm even losing interest in it as a critic at this point. I can't bring myself to watch another two-hour podcast episode about why the Book of Mormon isn't true.

In Idaho, of course, I had different options on Bumble. I don't remember swiping on this one, but apparently I did, and she, unlike most, messaged me.

I hesitated because I thought she would be a nutcase and object to anything I said about my passion for social justice. Then I scolded myself for assuming she was a nutcase just because she identified as a Christian and said she was passionate about spreading the kingdom of God, and I reminded myself that I can be friends with people who have different beliefs than me. I just made sure to tread carefully by not using the f-word that rhymes with lemonism. And then:

Ah yes, then I remembered the first lesson I learned in college: most stereotypes exist because they're true. I left her alone after that because there's not much point in talking to someone who thinks she knows everything in the universe. I, too, have spiritual beliefs that I'm passionate about sharing with the world, but I bend over backward to say here's my evidence, here's my thought process, and these are just my opinions, and if you're not convinced, oh well. You know what what she made me realize? I've never given a rat's ass about "being a man." I'm only one person with individual interests and personality traits, and that person happens to grow facial hair and pee standing up, and I have no strong feelings about that one way or another. I don't lose any sleep over the roles that society or religion wants to force on me just because I was born.

I'm sure she hates Pride Month too. A lot of people seem very disappointed that Pride Month wasn't cancelled just because their cult leader got elected, but news flash, it didn't start by asking permission from the government. I also love their new trend of calling it Veterans Month even though they would know that's November if they were really concerned about veterans and not just being bigots. It was always obvious that they didn't, but now it's irrefutable. Queer people aren't going away and will still be here when the last bigot has died. I went to the Pride rally, the Pride parade, and the Pride festival in Salt Lake this weekend. The highlight was David Archuleta's performance at the festival this afternoon. His apostasy was a very public black eye to Mormonism, and today he made it even better by performing his song "Glorious," originally from the film "Meet the Mormons," now repurposed as a queer pride song, for which it works beautifully. Now when he sings,

It's like a symphony
Just keep listenin'
And pretty soon you'll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious,

it means so much more. Thousands of attendees at Pride accepted each other for whoever they are, whatever they are, and whomever they love. They really can play their own parts and their own pieces, not the ones that Mormonism and other queerphobic religions have scripted for them and forced on them. It's so beautiful. I'll admit I think furries are freaking weird, but they've never hurt me, so I feel no compulsion to make their lives worse. Just let people live how they want and don't be a dick. It's not that hard. If your beliefs tell you to do something different, get less shitty beliefs.