Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Daniel Adam Britsch (1973-1993)

Daniel Adam Britsch was born September 14, 1973 in Ogden, Utah, and was adopted by his parents at six days of age. He was educated in Provo City high schools and attended Utah Valley State College for a brief time. At the time of his suicide he was employed by the law firm of Beus, Gilbert and Morrill of Phoenix, Arizona.

Dan was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he received his Life Award in the Boys Scouts of America. He was interested in nature, reading, the German language and European culture. He spent two six-month periods with the Brigham Young University study abroad program in London, England, with his family, and he traveled in Europe two additional times.

Dan was survived by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law and their children, his grandparents, and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. His close friend Michael Bergin passed away in 2003.

Dan committed suicide in Tempe, Arizona, on October 2, 1993. He was 20 years old. He is buried at East Lawn Memorial Hills in Provo.

His close friend Michael Bergin wrote the following: "[Daniel was] my best friend/roommate since we became friends in 4th grade at Edgemont Elementary school in northeast Provo, Utah, in the mid-80's and later at the Waterfront/Meridian (a private school)... To be honest, I'm very emotional at the moment… because of the remembrance of his death…. I don't have the [energy] to write anymore at this point without crying… His death prevented mine."

Johnson, Mary Lynn. "The Brothers Britsch--Uncommon Loyalty

." BYU Magazine, Summer 2001, pp. 28-33; see especially page 32.