From a young age, Gavin was exceptionally artistic and bright. As he grew, he brought strategy and size to a football field, but often preferred solo activities, like Legos. I noticed dances and dating didn’t appeal to him, but I was never quite sure why.
Then during the pandemic, while the whole world hunkered down and sheltered in place, Gavin came out. One night at 3 a.m., he walked in our room and told my husband and I that he is gay. That he’d been suffering from severe depression after trying to “fix it” and feeling “broken” for years. That some of the church’s teachings and unkind comments over the years had been very damaging to his mental health. He knew he’d always be loved at home, but also knew it would be a tough road made tougher by coming out during his junior year of high school among a highly LDS population that hasn’t made it easy for him. But Gavin said if he could just “change one person’s mind about LGBTQ people, then it would be worth it.”
Gavin is now contemplating college options and we are contemplating if visiting him in his new town at least once a month will be too obnoxious. We are all hopeful for these next chapters as he pursues a career, new relationships, and one day, a family of his own. Regardless of what his future holds, he knows he always has this family by his side.
Life shifted for us, but it didn’t shatter. I feel like I’ve entered a Masterclass in which I’m honored to be a part, primarily because the teacher is the Master Himself. Rather than a one-size-fits-all manual, I now rely on the compass of personal revelation. And in this forum, I sit among some of the best company I’ve ever kept – stalwart saints and sinners just like me who love our LGBTQ+ family and friends deeply and widely and loudly -- and for the long haul.
We’re excited to announce this new feature: Lift & Love at Home. I’m Autumn McAlpin from San Clemente, CA. I’m Michael’s wife and mama bear to Alex, Gavin, Blake and Gracie. Each week, I’ll be introducing a new family – a rainbow family like ours. We’re excited to embrace new friends and stories as we recognize that it’s so much easier to lift and love up close.
