Gender Roles & Same Sex Attraction

Alright, I would like to preface this post by saying I know how important and sensitive this topic is to so many. I have a hard time talking about it because I know people are very passionate about it and people tend to get very offensive. With that being said I would like you all to know my intention of this blog post is not to offend anyone or to hurt anyone's feelings, I simply want to talk about some things I learned in my class and state my opinion on this very important topic.

You may have guessed it but we are going to be talking about same sex attraction. This is a topic that has completely taken over the world, at least the social media world in my opinion. Odds are that everyone knows someone who is effected by this tough-to-talk-about topic. I have actually never really talked about my opinion on this topic, I have always been afraid that I wouldn't say the right thing or that I would offend someone but I ask anyone who is reading this to please read with an open mind.

Growing up I never really thought much about this topic, I never really even heard much about this topic except in jokes throughout the halls of my high school. I never imagined same sex attraction was such a huge topic in our nation. In class this week I learned so much about the actual attraction itself, but before I tell you what I learned and how I now feel, I would like to link to you the sources of my information.  The main source were my information is coming from is this website here
I really enjoyed this video and thought it provided me with a greater knowledge for same sex attraction.
I think people that go through this are very misunderstood, people are quick to judge them (especially in the Mormon culture) and I think that is wrong. In this video it mentions that a lot of these people have been through traumatic experiences such as molesting, abandonment and never feeling like they fit in. In our class we talked about the number of young boys that get molested and think it is their fault, that something is wrong with them and then later after some time assume that they are homosexual. It broke my heart to think about little boys that just wanted to fit in so badly that turn to the extreme circumstance. Now without getting too much into the nitty-gritty of this subject, I would just like to say I have no idea what those people are going through, and I am in no place to judge them because I have done things that others view as wrong as well. I would just like to point out that in this video there is hope shown for those that are struggling with same sex attraction. I find it interesting that it is never really talked about that there are programs out there to help people, young and old, with this challenge they may be faced with. I found this video very informative that therapy can help people overcome this and that there is hope out there.

With that being said I would like to talk to you a little bit about the importance of both a mother and a father in my life. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a women and so even though I may take a lot of heat for this I would like to share my thoughts. In class we also talked a lot about gender, I would like to talk about the importance I feel it has on families.
Growing up I learned so many important things from my parents. These are important life lessons that have shaped me into who I am today and I wouldn't be who I am without both of their influence on my life. I have seen my parents have a normal marriage, I have seen them disagree, work out their differences, and have the happiest times together. I believe that the differences in them together make a great team for raising our family. My dad is a tough love, work hard all day long type of guy. My mom is literally a saint, the sweetest lady that is constantly doing everything for everyone all day long.  They are different but I can't imagine what it would be like if they were too much the same.
Lessons I learned from my dad:

• Do a job right the first time and you won't have to repeat it. 
• Once all the work is done you can play all you want.
• Taught me to change my tires and oil
• Taught me to play catch, shoot hoops, throw a spiral
• Taught me to enjoy a simpler way of life on the ranch
• Stand up for yourself and take pride in who you are

Lessons I learned from my mom:

• You can never be too nice to someone
• Taught me to cook, clean, and be a homemaker
• Helped me learn to love myself and my weaknesses
• Taught me how to laugh, have fun, let loose
• If you put the Lord first he will always help you in what you need
• Family will always be there for you no matter where you go or what you do

Both of these people have taught me so much in my life. My parents both taught me things that the other could not have, simply because it wasn't really their nature. I believe that their gender influences their roles on our family. I don't think if I had two mom's I would have learned the things the male influence in my life taught me and the same goes for if I had two dad's. I KNOW that gender is important and that our LOVING Heavenly Father sent us down here with our specific gender because we have something to offer our families and the world. 

In closing I would just like to wrap everything up. (I feel like this post might be a little bit chaotic so I apologize its just a tough subject and I got a little excited to talk about a few different things) I would just like to say I know that Heavenly Father loves all His children and he is aware of what they are going through. If you or someone you know needs help with a topic such as this please get the help that you need and turn to Him. I know that he assigned us a gender and sent us to families because we have something important to offer those families. I hope I did not offend anyone, that was not my intent at all. And to Mormons everywhere who seem to be having a hard time not judging those struggling with these important issues, please remember "LOVE the sinner, hate the sin." Love makes the world go round people!
Have a great day, and keep on doing your best!