GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
David Archuleta comes out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
David Archuleta on Sunday came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, revealing how he has been wrestling to find balance between his sexuality and faith.
Sharing a selfie on Instagram, the former "American Idol" singer revealed details about his sexuality in the caption
"I like to keep to myself but also thought this was important to share because I know so many other people from religious upbringings feel the same way, " he began.
According to the American singer-songwriter, he "came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual."
"Then I also have learned I don’t have too much sexual desires and urges as most people, which works, I guess, because I have a commitment to save myself until marriage."
The 30-year-old singer admitted the number of letters of the name the community takes on, might be confusing to a lot of people — LGBTQIA+ — "but there are a lot of unique experiences people feel and live that make them feel isolated and alone that are represented," he said acknowledging the wide spectrum.
He also acknowledged those like him, "wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them, just as I have."
After saying he still doesn't know what to make of it, and still not having the answers yet, David invited people to "please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself."
"I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-day Saints, to listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith," he continued.
"I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other. For me to find peace, the reality has been to accept [that] both are real things I experience and make who I am," he said.
"I’ve yet to figure out what that means but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter," he added.
While he admits to not feeling comfortable sharing, David said he "felt I needed to to bring more awareness to people in my same situation, and let you know you’re not alone."
"You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan," he added.
David also gave a message and request to those who might not understand "how feelings outside of just being heterosexual can be possible."
"I just plead that you be more understanding to people who experience and struggle with things that you may not experience and understand yourself," he added.
David said he has tried "for almost 20 years to try and change myself until I realized God made me how I am for a purpose."
"And instead of hating what I have considered wrong, I need to see why God loved me for who I am and that it’s not just sexuality," he added. "So many other traits of who I am come from how I’ve been created."
David sought compassion from "those who were raised to have different beliefs of what is right."
"If other people choose to live differently than what you’ve been raised to believe is right, please have compassion because it’s most likely been an exhausting journey for them to be ok with the feelings they have and never have been able to change," he said.
"Idk if they weren’t supposed to try and change the way they were created to be. Even if you’re left with so many more questions with faith and sexuality like me I believe being open to both questions and to faith is how we receive answers," he added.
"God blesses those who ask. So let’s keep asking and seeking, and having compassion and patience. Thank you for listening," David ended his note.
June is considered Pride Month, a moment for members of the LGBT+ community to take pride in being themselves. Want to show more compassion to your friends who are members of LGBT+? Here are 10 ways. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News
