Comments on: This Letter Is for You

By: liam.

liam. — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:12:56 +0000

you know sean, when i first met you i wondered if you were closeted, in denial, passing or just trying to feel out what the rest of us at work might think. i knew you were mormon and had gone on a mission. i also knew you were gay, but i never knew how to ask you if you knew it was okay and hoped that you would figure it out on your own. i’ve known so many gay mormons, and it’s impossible to tell them it’s okay. it’s so ingrained that it’s not. i even know some who have electively chosen “therapy” to “fix” their “challenge” or whatever they want to call it. i just want them to be happy with themselves, but it’s something one has to choose for him/herself. all that said, i’m really happy that you found peace in your honesty with yourself.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:56:56 +0000

A belated Happy Birthday, Sean!

I remember that letter from when you first showed it to me, and I remember your mother’s response to inform you that she would be letting the family know that you were an atheist and requesting that you refrain from going into any further detail with your family. It still blows my mind.

By: chosha

chosha — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:31:43 +0000

Given the audience, that’s a great letter. It makes me wonder how you would write it differently now.

My folks will be okay. It’s my long-term church friends whose reaction I can’t predict. But hey, you’ll get to see some of that unfold the day I change my status on FB to ‘is no longer LDS’. That’ll be an interesting day.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:57:36 +0000

My god man I think you are brave. Props to you for looking at what was inside of you, and then being true to that. That kind of truth and reality is beautiful to me.

And Tanti Auguri!!!! I did miss your birthday party, but am quite glad you were born. I am horrible at getting to parties and libraries apparently….lol

By: tasithoughts

tasithoughts — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:53:02 +0000

Happy Birthday! Also, being true to yourself and taking important steps in your life are brave and courageous milestones. Your honesty to your parents is very brave and in the long run will be appreciated by them.

Much happiness, Sean!

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:28:47 +0000

Yep, the party was a lot of fun, to be able to visit with both of you and others. And its interesting to read about your experience in coming to grips with your sexuality. Every time I hear or read about such experiences–such as that of my uncle–it only reinforces how little we who are hetero understand what it is to be so fundamentally different from what is mainstream and accepted.

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:39:02 +0000

The letter I wrote to resign from the church is radically different than anything I would write now, so I totally understand – and that was only just in February, not 3 years ago. But I don’t see anything embarrassing about this. It is certainly more focused on religion than you might now be, but it’s probably what your parents needed to hear, then as well as now.

Yeah, that party was tons of fun. A resounding success.