LGBT Students at BYU Show They Need Jesus Christ Too

LGBT students and members of the USGA at BYU released a new video Monday that depicts the need all members of the Church have for the Atonement, regardless of their sexuality.

“It’s important to me to show even though I am LGBT I have a testimony of the Savior,” Austin Daw, a member of USGA told LDS.net. “I wanted to help send the message to people who may be like me.”

USGA (Understanding Same-Gender Attraction) was formed by a group of LGBT students at Brigham Young University in 2010. Since the group was created, videos have been released periodically, illustrating the intersection of LGBT issues and Mormonism.

“The goal of #INeedHimToo is to provide an additional voice to the current conversation in regards to the intersection of sexuality and spirituality,” Samy Galvez, president of USGA said. “We want to do our part to help both the religious and the LGBT communities understand and help each other.”

Galvez and Daw each expressed the need for the co-existence of religion and homosexuality, and were both proud to be a part of #INeedHimToo, which helps convey the spirituality that exists in all members, no matter their sexual orientation.

“Religion and being LGBT are not separate things,” said Daw. “I just want to feel like I belong at church. We are part of the Church and people don’t need to worry that we’re trying to tear the Church down.”

The group hopes to continue proclaiming messages of hope for those coming to terms with their feelings of same-gender attraction, and welcome all to join in the conversation.

“We have changed in the type of message we send and the feeling of the group,” said Galvez. “We are no longer focusing on showcasing the hardships of queer people, but rather in showcasing our victories, our successes, our talents, and our values. We believe this change of focus will help promote justice and understanding with the queer community.”

For more information about USGA or to watch other videos the group has created, visit their official Facebook page and YouTube channel.