#and the Gather Conference

[loveerran]

We sang "Be Still My Soul" in church today.

Songs like this one hit a bit differently when one is queer.

#LDS #mormon #queerstake #tumblrstake #lgbt #lgbtqia+ #religion #trans #transgender #hymns #one of the things i love #about #North Star #and the Gather Conference #is the fellowship #and music

[nerdygaymormon]

Scripture Study for Queer Latter-day Saints

The first annual Gather Conference was held in 2023 (which if you haven't already, I recommend checking out the presentations). In response to many people expressing a desire for this to happen more often or nearer to where they live, Gatherings are being encouraged.

Basically this is encouraging queer members & family, friends and allies, to gather together. Because many people are nervous about what to talk about at those gatherings, a simple outline has been created that goes along with each month's Come, Follow Me study. Each outline has 3 parts. 1) The scripture block and a question or two to think about. 2) A story by a queer Latter-day Saint and some discussion prompts (the story of faith can be accessed here). 3) Several questions to help you reflect on your own faith journey.

For example, here's January's:

I was thinking that even if you're on your own, or you have a friend but not a group nearby to gather with, these can be useful for a queer Mormon who wants to have a positive experience with the scriptures and see how we fit into the stories and principles. Idk if anyone in queerstake or queerward might want to get together via Zoom to have our own gathering, but I think that could be fabulous.

#gatherings #gather conference #queerstake

[astraystayyh]

no triggering images in this video

reminder that the genocide is still ongoing in Gaza, these are the people we speak up for, these are the people Israel is "defending itself' against, these are the young children who will have unimaginable psychological scars, who carry a burden beyond words on their shoulders. don't stop talking about what's going on, don't stop boycotting, don't stop pressuring your governors, this isn't over yet, please please don't treat this as a trend.

#i saw a press conference held by CHILDREN #in english so the world would hear #just kids gathered before a hospital and then begging the world to hear their cries #to save them #don't let these children down please don't stop talking about Palestine #free gaza #free palestine #ceasefire

[wombatwisdom]

Today I attended the first day of the Gather Conference in Provo, Utah. Roughly 1300 lgbtq+ individuals, family members and allies attended the event making it one of the largest conferences (if not the largest) bridging the gulf between the mormon church and the LGBTQ+ community.

My feelings are still forming, but I think the first day was a success! The opening session consisted of musical numbers, speeches (including Steve Young), and even a new song by Janice Kapp-Perry (which in Mormon circles is quite the get). The second session had break out rooms for LGBTQ+ individuals, parents and family, and allies and leaders. These breakout rooms had speakers and panelists.

While each speaker and panelist spoke on different subjects, a few key ideas jumped out for me:

1. Dissonance isn't bad but usually allows us to move forward.

2. Decisions in life should be made in earnest based on careful consideration in collaboration with the Savior, not because someone else told you how to live or due to societal pressures.

3. Love is not a transaction. We should act in love without expectation of anything in response.

4. The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and there is no singular "correct" way to be LGBTQ+ and Mormon. Respect for everyone's journey is a necessity.

5. Inclusion of other marginalized people should be something we are advocating for in positions of privilege we have.

6. Sharing your story is important.

‐---------------------‐-----------------------------------------

For me this conference was important. It was the first time wearing a dress in public as a trans-femme person. I was probably overdressed but the joy and comfort of wearing a dress in public for the first time was amazing (gender euphoria is a lovely thing).

A kind Transwoman noticed me not really talking to anyone during a break during one of the sessions and she came over and talked to me. I didn't really know what to say or how to keep the conversation afloat but while halting, we had a lovely conversation and it was really nice to have some reach out.

I was impressed with the sheer number of people at the conference. It made me feel so much less alone. There were many of us, all gathered together trying to make our spirituality and our identities work. And it was beautiful.

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I left today more emotional than I expected. I reflected on my thoughts on connection and community. I reflected on my personal views of who I want to be and how I will continue to engage with the Church.

I was struck with how wonderful it is to talk of love, kindness, and personal healing, but it still feels like not enough in the face of an institution that is not willing to make space for us. There is a lot of pain, trauma and hurt in our community and the tears from Leaders seems to be more due to us simply existing than the hardships they impose or endorse.

But this conference isn't going to be able to do anything about church politics, so it is doing what it can--showing love and support and reminding us of just how many of us there are.

We aren't alone. We are part of a community. And maybe, hopefully, I can believe that change will come to the church eventually.

#queerstake #gather conference 2023 #Lift & Love #Questions from the Closet Podcast

[chantalstacys]

.

#it’s a funny feeling #when at the end of the day i take out my backpack and get ready to leave #and a specific group of children comes over and gathers around me to ask about what’s inside #it’s a what’s in my bag irl #i have a compact brush and they always pass it around opening and closing it #like #if you ever want to feel like the most interesting person in the world just become a preschool teacher #during conferences #some of the parents told me about how much their kid talks about me at home #and one of them plays teacher at home and says he’s teacher caitlin #diary

[seithr]

Randomly remembered the half-reason i call my oc-verse by the name it has while laying in bed. One-half of the reason i still knew, but I had forgotten what had truly, really cemented it jointly until now

(it was a song from my favourite band I haven't listened to in a while.)

(the song fit so well at the time, still does, that i needed to hold onto it for the main protagonists forever, by partially naming their story in reference.)

Does this explanation make any sense? Does anyone know why I'm tearing up remembering this. Aahh

#(I'm emotional because I've been feeling bad about it all lately. enjoying things I make I mean—art or ocs or frivilous things.) #(So remembering that song and when it came out. That I couldn't see them in person. But i held onto it my own way. As something I loved) #(Something I still do love a lot... Parts of me saying no—you don't hate it. No. I'll help you remember more. I'm a little misty about it.) #The song is just The Killers - Run For Cover. I couldn't see them in person all those years ago—family went without me. #All my new oc rework with Zin and Hunter and Caia were like a year old or so. #It's a little silly. But the character Zin's derived from was a lightning mage so I stuck to it—I like monhun's zinogre for what its worth #So there's recurring theme and imagery. Thunder's not lightning but the sound and the feeling after the flash the flame and strike. #There's that meaningful thought—the story is the aftermath of a big tragedy. It matches what I like in monsters and other chars. #And at that time—my favourite band I missed out on puts out a really good song I download everywhere and it goes like: #He motioned me to the sky/ I heard heaven and thunder cry/ Run for cover/ Run while you can baby don't look back/ You gotta run for cover #And it goes on of course. The rest of the song's still really good. There's more that fits but point is; More evocative imagery. #So there. Why my bundle of OCs—Zinadia Hunter and Caia's story—is called Thunder 20XX. minus the 20XX. That's tongue-in-cheek #About some day I'll manage to make something tangeable or broadly shareable with them. I guarentee this century! #Thunder... oh my darling Thunder. Eight years man. More than that if I really want to count pre-rework INTO the complete original work. but #I like that it's definably 8. I like that I remembered I've always loved them a lot. Always been my thing to lean on even by name... #I need to get to sleep. Ive gotten a little more emotional over one song than I'd rather regularly be. Give it a listen maybe? Goodnight #Armour clanking #I need an oc tag #What have you gathered to report to your progenitors?🎶Are your excuses any better than your senator's🎶He held a conference #and his wife was standing by his side🎶He did her dirty but no-one died🎶 #I saw Sonny Liston on the street last-night black-fisted and strong singing🎶Redemption song🎶 #He motioned me to the sky🎶I heard heaven and thunder cry🎶RUN FOR COVER #What are you waiting for—a kiss or an apology?🎶You think by now you'd have an A in toxicology🎶 #It's hard to pack the car when all you do is shame us🎶Even harder when the dirtbag's famous🎶 #I saw my mother on the street last night all pretty and strong singin🎶The road is long🎶 #I said 'Mama I know you tried!'🎶But she fell on her knees and cried🎶RUN FOR COVER #Just run for cover - you've got nothin left to lose...

[gxlden-angels]

One of these days I will write about the nuances of The Black Church and how it acted both as a force for good; providing food, shelter, and community to those in need from slavery onward, and as a force for destruction, actively treating drug addicts and LGBT people as diseases and cutting them off from that sanctuary. I should do it at my most powerful (Now during BHM) but alas.....

#I recently attended a conference #and one of the presentations I went to was about Ballroom Culture and History #the presenter compared it to being in a black church #and of course not all churches are the same even with groups #but when I say 'The Black Church' I usually mean the southern baptist/methodist combination that emphasizes freedom. emotionalism and praise #There's a big focus on being freed from slavery both literally and metaphorically (from sin) #Youve probably seen those videos of praise breaks with ppl screaming crying frowing up and falling on the floor #That type of church #It seems silly as an outsider but it's all about connection #In Ballrooms they danced. they performed. they loved #In church they danced. they performed. they loved. #After the church comes together and feeds everyone #If someone is sick the whole church nurses them and prays #Ballroom was a place for queer folk to gather. Black people gathered at church. It wasn't entirely safe but it was something #But then things happened #Black churches kick out addicts and sex workers and queer folk #And during the AIDS epidemic #and war on drugs started #Cis gay men turned on the trans women that built those Ballrooms #They decided they didn't want their spaces pulled down #They decided this was the only way to rise. By stepping on others #And as the communities grew they changed #Of course these community churches and Houses still exist #People are still there supporting each other #But Madonna 'invented' vogue and Ru Paul partakes in fracking #But Creflo Dollar owns a private jet #This was probably a rambling mess but I hope you get it #I also lost my ipad on the other side of the country so I'm a bit too upset to organize my thoughts better rn #ex christian #religious trauma

[flourescencia]

anytime I find out people aren't boycotting I'm truly perplexed l was hanging out with my girlfriend's friends yesterday and one of them mentioned eating a McDonalds burger when they were hangover and I genuinely just stood there quiet for a few seconds before I could retake the conversation

#and I know this people support Palestine but maybe they're not as involved as I am but COME ON it's like the easiest simplest step #I have to wonder do they not know or do they just think that because we're such a small country our actions here are inconsequential #which to a certain degree I get because I've felt it but there's still people pressuring the government to break diplomatic relations with #the zionist entity there's still people putting out conferences to inform others there's still protests #there's still gatherings there's still vigils there's still artists giving out stuff for free to fundraise #we might be an inconsequential country but our actions still matter and boycotting is the least you can do ? but I guess others don't see i

[spiltcandycoatedpunkblood]

just so you know how normal the UK is, left wing climate change activists and anti-monarchy protesters are getting jail time and beaten for simply holding up banners and being considered disruptive whilst right wing bullshitters against shit like ULEZ (literally about having areas that are specifically for ultra low emissions so we, y'know, don't constantly have to breathe in fucking car fumes and other pollutants because some fucking people actually bizarrely want to???) and road safety limits EVEN FUCKING RIGHT NEAR SCHOOLS are driving basically massive vehicles through the streets and are not considered a disruptive protest

#this is also after being a year or so into a fucking protest bill where the government can cherry pick which protests to break apart #also naturally police are turning off bodycams because of course they are #and a van was stopped by police because 'they had reason to believe they were going to disrupt the tory party conference' #also laurence fox - known fascist - was yelling in public about protecting children from trans people #and i haven't heard shit about the covid inquiry because bozo the clown stepped down in a tantrum when he wouldn't hand over his phone #despite the fact that probs about 17 parties that he was involved in took part in and around 10 downing street #DURING A FUCKING PANDEMIC IN DECEMBER 2020 #WHEN EVERYONE WAS MADE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OR BE SANCTIONED #there's a giant wall in London with all the Covid victims and with the darkest irony #it's literally opposite the Houses of Parliament #and i highly doubt any of those people in there - especially the higher powers - have even fucking visited it #this is also the same fucking country that attacked a vigil for a woman brutally murdered by a police officer #claiming it was an unlawful gathering #whilst ignoring the christmas parties at downing street and the anti lockdown protestors #vent #rant #uk politics #my heart is fucking dead i don't have the fucking enthusiasm anymore #i wanna go back so damn much #my family and I do not have many friends now as a result

[bubmyg]

my boss and i should not be allowed to attend public meetings together

#the amount of times we made eye contact while people were talking 😭 in this tiny ass conference room 😭 #also were fully texting each other 😭 #the ride home was the equivalent to the post family gathering debrief #literally his first words were ‘holy fuck’ JENCKSNDOWNDOWNDKSNSKS

[ladymazzy]

Watch "Jacob Rees-Mogg accidentally tells the truth about voter ID gerrymandering | The News Agents" on YouTube

Oh nothing, just Rees-Mogg casually admitting that the tory voter ID legislation was an attempt to gerrymander

(that also backfired because as well as being chronically evil, parliamentary tories are fundamentally disconnected from their core voter base. Somehow it didn't occur to them that in attempting to disenfranchise the poor, the young & ethnic minorities, they would also disenfranchise jingoistic parochial nimbys who never leave their shire because cities are too full of 'foreigners')

#uk politics #never tory #normal island #what a fucking shitshow this conference is #all the fascists gathering together trying to convince themselves that they're all perfectly reasonable #Youtube

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

#looking at the notes ppl in the lab let me on my birthday card. it seems ppl think i should chill the fuck out lmao #a lot were like RELAX!!! and ya kno objectively theyre right but i refuse to listen bc theres something wrong in my head #sigh. i survived the day at least. the timed measurements r done on this experiment. thank christ. and my birthday gathering as so #i dont kno. it was kinda funny and kinda sad i guess. bc i knew it was gonna happen and i didnt want it to but i was like fine. ill meet #at 4. and i expected it to b in the conference room but they set up outside the lab around the corner. so they did kinda surprise me #location wise i guess. i cant imagine what expression i was making. it felt like a pained smile but idk. i had to go back to take #measurements every 4min so i was standing there with a plate full of ice creame cake. kinda away from everyone while they talked. staring #at my phone timer as it ticked down and abruptly leaving when i had to log a measurement. i was basically a non entity while there. which #was kinda idea bc i have too much hurt inside to talk to ppl right now. as evidence by my phone call with my parents when i got home. im #just kinda a bummer to exist around rn. idk maybe i should apologize to my boss bc i kno im not an easy person to do things for #and i really do appreciate the effort. its just hard when i kno how much stress its going to cause me for someone to attempt to do #something they think will b nice. so idk i just feel bad. but its over. and idk what ill do tomorrow. i should do stuff for when i move #like my dad was like: u should prioritize ur future stuff. and hes objectively right. they think i should get a studio apartment which #would b expensive as fuck but i will destroy myself if i have roommates. idk. theres lots still to do bc i have to get a ton of data #processed by the end of the week bc i have 8 days of measurement on another project that needs to get done by may 14th when i leave for #vacation. which my mom was like did u buy ur tickets for next month and i was like. hm how do i ask where im supposed to buy tickets to #without giving away that i dont kno what ur talking abt? bc apparently im going to a wedding? wtf do i wear to a wedding? #idk. i guess im just kinda sad bc this month has been really hard. i made it hard for no reason bc theres something wrong in my head and #that hurt has nowhere to go bc i cant even give anyone an honest account of how awful it was bc its like what r they gonna do abt it? #anything i say is just worrying bc i cant seem to stop myself who whats the point in talking abt it. but idk humans r social creatures so #when im in pain at least part of me wants someone to brush my hair and acknowledge my pain and tell me itll b ok #but idk. the idea of that happening is different from the reality where i seem to opperate at a different frequency to other people. we #just dont seem to properly connect. idk. idk what ill do tomorrow. im afraid to loosen my grip on my schedule bc i might fall to piece #pieces without the pressure. well see. lets home my 26th year is better than my 25th was. bc last year sucked #hope* lets hope that was my low point. bc that was not a fun time and im worry to take account of thr damage done #unrelated

[nerdygaymormon]

Artwork was displayed at the Gather Conference. It was in the main hallway so I got to walk by it multiple times. I’m sharing a few of the paintings that most spoke to me

This is titled Grey Space by Naomi Worth. I like that it shows we meet the Divine in the grey where maybe things aren't as clear cut as the black & white, and not as vibrant as the colorful spaces, instead it’s in a muddled space that is quiet and easily overlooked

The Life We’d Miss by Grace Caron is a casket, but we see what would be missed if this person unalived themselves. The colors are those of the rainbow flag, indicating this is a queer person, which is apropos as queer people are at increased risk. Also, looking at what they would miss, it’s a young person. Maybe it resonates with me because I once stopped to write down all I would’ve missed had I not gotten help when I was suicidal.

Belonging by Erin Nimmer. I love that this is clearly an LDS church building and there is a rainbow for the entrance. I guess seeing this makes me feel like there is hope the rainbow could be added to church and become a part of it, rather than be a demographic which are held apart and not fully belong

I don’t know the name of this next painting but the artist is Anna Wright. I spent time admiring the beauty and skill of this painting, but knew there must be a deeper meaning I wasn’t comprehending. The way he’s holding his hand and fingers, the hand holding the big spool of thread, and so on. Fortunately the artist provided an explanation and it added to my appreciation of this piece of art

#gather conference #naomi worth #grace caron #erin nimmer #anna wright #queerstake

[frettchanstudios]

My illustration, (recently titled "Gaaḵ (Raven)") which was commissioned by the @endangeredlanguagesproject based on the theme of language revitalization will be on display at the International Conference on Linguistics Communication 2023, starting tomorrow. The event is held on @gather_town, a very cool digital space that gives total video game vibes and you can interact with me, view the artwork, and/or read about it. I'll be popping in and out over the course of the multi-day event.

#language revitalization #endangered languages #indigenous art #Frettchan Studios #Chantelle Trainor-Matties #conference #gather #artist #Indigenous artist #Native #Raven #Language #LingComm #Linguistics #Gather Town #Artist Alley #gallery #digital space #virtual event

[wombatwisdom]

Thoughts from the Gather Conference

I want to take some time to engage with some of the speakers from the Gather Conference. I do want to share my thoughts with others, but mostly I'm doing this for myself. Also, my thoughts are based on my recollections of speeches I have only heard once and do not have the text to review, so everything is my paraphrasing and interpretation.

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Charlie Bird and Allison Dayton spoke one right after the other on Day 2 of the conference and whether intentional or not, their messages paired nicely.

Charlie's address, entitled "Resolution through the Gospel of Christ" focused mostly on dispelling the myth of having to choose between being a child of God and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He believes that the idea of needing choose is a lie and one that is held onto by traditional thinking. His call to arms was to actively choose both, be a child of God who is out and proud.

Allison Dayton's speech, entitled "Enlarge the Place of Thy Tent", was focused on reaching out to people in the "wilderness of life" and invite them into our tents. She was clear that the tent in her analogy is not the Church as an institution but rather the personal tent of our lives. She said, quite clearly, that we cannot do much about the church's policies of inclusion, but we can invite everyone into our circles of love regardless.

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Potentially controversial take here, so fair warning.

To the outside observer these talks seem a bit toothless, especially when looked at from an activist lens. Enlarging circles of love and being out and proud children of God on their own seem like harmless and lackluster. If you are looking for monumental change, will either of these acts actually accomplish that?

I'm also not sure Charlie or Allison have alterior motivations here, they may not be actively trying shake things up, but my Machiavellian little soul can help but see something deeper going on here.

The church is often times miles behind when it comes to social change and obvious activism hardly ever results in much more than name calling. True change in the church comes from those in minority groups gradually carving out acceptance and many many many meetings with those in power. And since most of us won't sit in counsils with those in control, we must settle with carving out acceptance.

Here is where Charlie and Allison come in. There is something transgressive in what they are saying while still remaining technically within the doctrines of mormonism.

Charlie's approach feels similar to Harvey Milk's in the 1970's. Milk's philosophy was that everyone should be out in all walks of life to show that "average people" knew someone in the LGBTQ+ community. This was controversial at the time and still is now, but I can see the appeal of this approach. And I personally think there was some success in the normalization of a very specific type of "queer person" in the mainstream.

Charlie's proposal directly confronts the belief that some Mormons hold that the LGBTQ+ community is somehow not part of the Momron community. Or that we shouldn't be. And I do think that being out, at the very least, would force people to recognize we exist and we are unavoidable.

Allison's approach is different but reaches a similar outcome (and can be practiced by Allies and LGBTQ+ folks). By encouraging people to expand their circles of inclusion she is subtly disrupting the status quo in Mormonism. Ultimately she is proposing a grassroots movement, first of love and support, that if grown large enough might force larger change.

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Now again, this is my inference and thoughts. And both of these approaches are very quiet forms of activism that don't ask for very much and deliberately indirect. This is, if it is anything, the long game.

I think I wanted to share this because often this type of advocacy is either dismissed entirely by critics or is easily missed by those looking for it as the advocacy is implied rather than stated.

At the end of the day, advocacy in this space is controversial, difficult, and messy. And while imperfect--i think that there is at least hope to be had. Because even if change doesn't come, Charlie's and Allison's visions will still be vital in building community which is always needed.

#gather conference 2023 #queerstake #long post

[gludgenbell]

If it’s ok was wondering if you’d be willing to try doing a humanised version of the tower of babble scp, mainly cause I saw something on deviantart once and it made me curious about someone else trying to do that, if not then you can just draw the tower itself or something

the scp is basically a tower that is a threat to pretty much any animal species except humans cause it senses out creepy animal cyborgs to kill any non human animals but the cyborg things won’t kill humans even in self defense, and the tower sends out animal skin balloons with text, there’s two types, the manuscripts which are high quality writing which avoids mentioning nonhuman life, and creepy rants indicating an obsession with humans and they included an example

“Cleanse the WORLD for the Great Ones Cleanse the WORLD for the Great Ones who greater than you your majestyyour sublime nature Great Ones do I do right? The flesh and wood serve you unite with the steel you love do you love me too I am what you love. Great Ones see as I do my duty my passion forgive the slowpace the steel takes TIME. Did you like the servants they were the BEST of the cleansed only the BEST for you Great Ones made like you form you assume here on a WORLD to clean to honor you do appreciate please please I will complete the cleansing soon and you can take me away in your ships of FIRE and I can love you and you will love me” so basically the tower seems to have some kind of obsessive love for humans if you don’t want to draw this scp in any way I understand but if you’re willing then yeah

okay firstly yes, I am willing this is such a cool concept

Secondly I love scp

Thirdly I hope you didn't expect much because I don't think I did much and I really hope you're not disappointed

This is probably something I can do again at some point, it is. Something of a struggle to implement the cyborg parts like I'd wanted to

Was also a heavy battle between a shotgun and a saw but alas

Also masked because I thought of hiding, human beauty, and cultish behavior

ALSO the pose is generic as shit because ah, I needed a generic pose to work on a design after all

I'll be doing this one again once I figure something else out, promise

#this is probably something I'll retry! like that other ask one thing #I def have to confer with my wives about this one #gather a new perspective so I can nail that cyborg angle I want #gludgen responds! #art request #to be truly answered at a later date #opabinia-777