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By Ina Mae Murri From Affinity, June 1982, p. 3. Part of the legacy we have as Mormons is genealogy work and being interested in who our ancestors are. I have in my possession a folder in which my mother assembled all the family histories she had on both her and my father's side. On occasion, I take out this folder and read these histories. It inspires me when I see the lives our ancestors lived as they joined the Church, many of them leaving homes in far-flung places to come to Zion to join with the rest of the Saints. I appreciate the lives they led and find much to keep me humble and thankful for the blessings I now enjoy. But this also gives me food for thought as I look at my life and what I want my descendants to know about my life. Probably we have all heard stories in our families about an aunt, uncle, cousin, or some other relative who the family keeps quiet about, but of course there is some "scandal" which must now get out. Do we as homosexuals fit in the category in our family where they do not know our true story? I have as one of the projects in my life to write my true story. My son knows about me so it is not for his benefit. I came out to my brothers and sisters at Christmas 1980. So they know the facts. But will it ever go any further than that immediate circle? I have many nieces and nephews and they are now having children. I want to write my history and leave copies to all of them so that I will not be a "scandal story" to be passed around at family reunion times. I plan to have a copy of my story in envelopes and upgrade their addresses as needed. When I pass away, I want these stories to go where they are addressed. Only then will they know the truth. Maybe there will be a gay niece or nephew who will benefit from the knowledge they have of their aunt. I want to encourage all members of Affirmation to write their true stories and find some way to leave this story for their families to have. After reading David Goodstein's advice in the March [1982] issue of Affinity, I feel that this may be one way for us to leave the truth about us to our families. It is very hard to come out to our families; and if we are not able to, we can at least write the truth and let the results be found after we are gone. I feel also that our families will eventually come to feel the same about us as before. It just takes time and exposure to us after finding out about the real us. I encourage all of you to go back and look at Treasures of Truths books and family histories, and find a way to incorporate your story in with the rest. But make sure it is the truth. |
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