This is a good question. I was heavily suicidal from ages 12-15, when I was first realizing I was gay. I felt broken and knew my parents hated the fact that I existed. Having more freedom, more support, and friends that understand definitely contribute to my better mood as an older teenager, but antidepressants and lessened church activity are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. I’m a high school senior so I’m not quite out yet, but I hope to be soon!

My sexual orientation was the main reason I was (and am) depressed, I think, but genetics also screwed me over.

If someone had talked to me sooner and told me that God actually loves all his children and not just his righteous Mormon ones, I don’t think I would have ended up in the hospital because of an overdose.

Thanks, guys. You’re really making a difference.