The Tribune has recently printed several thoughtful letters from gay (former) Mormons, outlining the LDS stance on homosexuality and the reasons many gays leave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church's continued refusal to admit that homosexuality is an inborn trait forces its gay members to either spend their lives trying to be something they aren't, or to ditch the church altogether.

Imagine a Mormon Samoan being told by the church, "It's OK if you are Samoan, but you can't speak Samoan, or wear Samoan traditional clothes, or practice any Samoan dances, or eat any Samoan food. God made you Samoan, but he doesn't want you to act on it." The Samoan would rightly feel indignant and wonder why God makes Samoans in the first place if he doesn't want anyone to act Samoan.

What a waste for gay Mormons (out of fear, guilt or the sincere desire to do the right thing) to deny themselves potential life partners and fulfilling relationships by either being celibate or entering into "traditional" marriages.

I look forward to the day when LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson gets the revelation that gays (just like people of color) aren't inherently evil after all.

Jane Wolfarth

Salt Lake City