Identity is a strange thing.
Ultimately, we are all… humans, right? Like, we are all people. And then, after that, identity breaks itself down into a billion different sub-components (of varied importance): preferences, month of birth, gender, religion, hair color, whether or not we like cilantro. You know, stuff.
I think cilantro tastes like topsoil. Stop judging me.
Photo attribution: here
Most of these sub-components are not who we are. In the sentence “Josh is human,” you cannot replace the identifier “human” with something like “Josh is allergic to cats” and have it serve as a nominative equivalent. “Allergic to cats” describes Josh. “Human” identifies Josh. READ MORE »
The last few years have been witness to a remarkable LDS cultural shift in the conversation around homosexuality. While core doctrines of the Church with regard to the appropriate bounds of sexual expression have not changed (and will not change), there has been a clarifying and nuancing of Church teachings (i.e., sexual attraction or temptation is not a sin; only inappropriate indulgence in thought or behavior is) as well as a notable shift in our cultural attitudes. We’re becoming much more open and loving toward others wherever they may be in their journey of faith (or lack thereof), even as we continue to embrace our own faith in the Savior and the doctrines of the restored gospel. 
In the fall of 2005, a group of Latter-day Saints dealing with issues around homosexuality and LDS faith discussed the need for something more than what was currently available for those who are committed to living the teachings of the restored gospel. In that conversation was sown the seeds for what later became North Star. 
