Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” offers a glimpse into the lives of two strangely paired individuals. As polar opposites in many ways, Oscar and Felix find a way to successfully live together. More than just live together, they end up cooperating and supporting one another while recognizing their differences.
The recent news of the LDS Church’s consideration of severing ties with the Boy Scouts of America after the organization lifted its ban on gay scout leaders has again caused contention between two similarly “strangely paired” groups coexisting in Utah. The LGBTQ community seeks acceptance for who they are. They don’t wish to be changed or “fixed” but rather just allowed to live with the freedom to be who they are. Yet shouldn’t the LDS Church be afforded the same freedom to maintain their position on homosexuality without being condemned? Can they hold their view and still find a way to be supportive of those in the LGBTQ community? Can we all find a way to maintain our resolve for what we believe in and still find a harmonious way in which to live together? While the issue over the Church and the Boy Scouts of America has made the big national news, only a few short weeks ago, a little story that kind of flew under the radar appears to demonstrate a way in which the Church and LGBTQ community can rise above the contention.
At the beginning of July, the Utah Pride Center sent out a press release announcing that the LDS Church had made a contribution to their organization. Did you catch that? The Utah Pride Center made the announcement!
The Utah Pride Center went on to state: “In an historic show of common purpose and unity, continuing a civil and respectful dialog between the LGBTQ Community and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Church has, for the first time, made a contribution to a Utah Pride Center program. The contribution will be used by the Pride Center for its homeless and low-income youth program.”
It wasn’t the LDS Church that made the announcement. It was the Utah Pride Center that gratefully brought the news to the attention of the public. The announcement showed gratitude for the generosity and progress in the relationship. The LDS Church listened and met with gratitude the request made by the Utah Pride Center for assistance, applauding the efforts of the program. Upon deciding to grant the request made by the Pride Center, the LDS Church inquired whether their request was enough and whether they could use more assistance than asked for.
The press release stated: “The grant letter from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints states, ‘We are grateful to be able to serve your efforts in this worthy project and appreciate the work that you and others are doing related to this initiative.’”
Two organizations with completely different world views found a way to come together in support of something they both have passion for—serving those in need. They were able to find common ground, put aside their differences and combine efforts in responding to a genuine problem, and as a result more of those in need of help will be able to get it. Regardless of one’s position of The LDS Church or the LGBTQ Community, one ought to be able to applaud the results.
In response to the donation, Utah Sen. Steve Urquhart stated on his social media site: “The Mormon Church is reaching out to the LGBT community. It’s a bit of an awkward embrace, but people and institutions are to be applauded for taking positive steps and to be encouraged to take a few more. I’m proud of the effort the Mormon Church is making. It recognizes that its youth are suffering, and it is trying.”
Another Utah Senator, Jim Dabakis, was quoted in the press release.
“I am grateful to the LDS Church for their generosity and for their show of support for the Pride Center outreach to homeless youth,” Dabakis stated. “This feels right. Although the LDS Church and the LGBTQ Community do not agree on everything, this is yet another link in a continuing relationship of respect and civility. Who could have imagined such a warm and growing friendship even a few years ago?”
When I first heard about the donation, as I read and heard comments regarding the news of this historic, generous, and helpful act, I found myself troubled as to why it was being used as further divide rather than cheered as a step in the right direction? Are we simply looking for ways to be offended, outraged, and argumentative? If we are sincere in our desire for living free and peacefully, shouldn’t we be encouraging this type of news?
I am not here to represent the LDS Church or proselytize. In fact, I actually left the LDS Church due to my strong disagreement with the doctrinal teachings and social issues. However, when they (or others) do something good and of noteworthy value, I do not want my differences to get in the way of celebrating commonality. If any of the good I have done were to be evaluated based upon all the wrong I have done, there would be no hope for me to ever become better as I strive to improve.
Nor am I here to promote or seek converts to the LGBTQ Community. I do not take the position of taking a moral stance of the “lifestyle” being either right or wrong. I believe this is up to the individual to determine on their own.
What I am here to represent is a better world in which we can all live peacefully as we individually live our convictions while collectively promoting the right for others to do the same. We don’t have to agree with one another to respect each other. Providing a meal, a shirt, a place to rest for those in need does not mean you have to agree with anything other than the fact that we are all human and deserve dignity and compassion.
Though oil and vinegar do not readily mix, they can be paired together to enhance the flavor of things we enjoy. A seemingly odd-couple pairing between the LDS Church and the LGBTQ community can similarly enhance the diversity of our world while allowing us to work together where we find shared goals. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments and find more ways to make this world a better place to live for all. After you eat dinner, while getting ready for bed, and consider what you will wear tomorrow—even though the evening news may still be focusing on the division between these two groups, consider applauding both the LDS Church and the LGBT Community that there are some youngsters that will be able to do the same tonight thanks to a quiet collaboration.
Nicely stated. I loved the oil and vinegar analogy. A well written piece.
George, I join you in your call for all to accept each human being for who they are, absent moral condemnation or judgment, but at this juncture I believe your analogy loses validity on a very key point.
In The Odd Couple, Oscar and Felix were indeed opposites in many ways. What the play (and TV show) turned on was that, despite their differences, they never doubted that they respected each other, and shared a friendship that withstood all challenges.
Yet your two parties, the LDS church and the LGBT community, are far from achieving that same relationship. Take the recent decision of the BSA to allow gay men as scout leaders. Despite the BSA’s position that no sponsoring organization will be forced to place a gay man in a leadership position, the LDS church is currently contemplating severing ties with the BSA completely. It is certainly their right to do so, but did Oscar ever stomp out and leave for good when Felix got a little overly tidy or passed judgment on his poker buddies?
I loved the oil and vinegar analogy. And appreciate the idea of celebration instead of looking for a greater divide.