Gay Mormon singer asks ‘how many more’ LGBT suicides before action is taken (VIDEO)
Gay Mormon singer Tyler Glenn has released a video on Facebook in which he challenges the leaders of the Mormon church to address the number of LGBT+ suicides.
Glenn, the lead singer of Neon Trees, calls for this not to be “a summer of more gay suicides.”
The out gay singer, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, addressed a rising rate of youth suicides in LGBT+ people in Utah, where the church is based.
62.6 percent of residents of the state are members of the church.
Of a new anti-gay policy which was announced in November by the Mormon church, he says: “We’ve heard of over 40 suicides within the mormon LGBTQ world.”
Emotional in the video, Glenn shows photos of two Mormon teens, Stockton and Wyatt, who have killed themselves.
“These two teenage boys have something in common: they are both gay, they are both Mormon, and then last week they both [died by]suicide,” he adds.
Glenn goes on to say: “In the last week, it has been reported that three other LDS and LGBTQ teenagers took their own life.”
Glenn continues: “I make this live video right now to help you put a face to this policy that bans same-sex couples and their kids, to see that this is actually happening, and it’s real, and it’s right now.”
Directly addressing the Church president, Glenn says: “Dear Russell Nelson, you spearheaded this policy in November, and you and your colleagues claim to speak directly to and for God. As his mouthpieces on this Earth today, you have yet to respond to the confusion, chaos and disruption that you have caused so many current and former members of your church, both queer and straight alike,” Glenn says. “You’ve had months and a public conference satellite-broadcast to the world in April, and you’ve yet to give light to the actual darkness that so many of your members are living in currently.”
A new video from Glenn last month, takes a shot at the Mormon Church due to its stance on homosexuality.
Glenn has been vocal about reconciling his faith and homosexuality, even making out with Dustin Lance Black in a music video while maintaining his Mormon beliefs.
Watch the video here:
