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USA: gay man in Mormon leadership role

By on September 6, 2011

An openly gay man has been selected for the first time for a leadership role in a Mormon congregation.

Bishop Don Fletcher of the San Francisco Bay Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints asked gay Mormon man Mitch Mayne to serve as a ward executive secretary — coordinating administrative and pastoral functions and participating in executive-level decision-making within the congregation.

After a discussion with local Mormon leaders, Mayne committed to adhere to the same standards of sexual morality expected of heterosexual members of the church, and agreed to serve.

“I love my Heavenly Father, and one of the ways I express that love is through being my genuine self and honouring the way He made me,” Mayne said. “I now have a unique opportunity to focus on helping other people.

“We have so many people on the Church records who are inactive, whose families are still members. Many of them served honourably as Mormon missionaries. Many identify as LGBT.

“As an openly gay priesthood leader, I hope my example also shows that not only do they have a home here but they have a path.

“One of the most heartening things is the straight people … who have written me to say, ‘My wife and I have been praying for greater understanding and light on LGBT issues in the Church for years’.”

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8 Comments

  1. BRD

    September 6, 2011 at 1:15 pm


    This is not the first time an openly gay man has served in such a position. But he is the most vocal about it.

  2. Sgm

    September 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm


    This is not really the big news it may appear to be, since the criteria that is used to determine worthiness to serve is obedience to the commandments, just as it has always been. Our worthiness is assessed by what we are doing today, and not by what we have done in the past – as I gather is the situation with Mitch Mayne.

  3. ben

    September 6, 2011 at 4:00 pm


    I think the small print is saying CELIBATE.

    (not sure where that leaves a kiss, a grope, a stroke…)

  4. Jay

    September 6, 2011 at 6:29 pm


    I hope that this helps the church better support and love it’s gay community, which includes myself.

  5. doogie

    September 7, 2011 at 2:09 am


    Nothing new here. This has been happening without fanfare throughout the church. Only difference here is publicity. We wish Mitch Mayne (and all others similarly situated) our best.

  6. Paul

    September 7, 2011 at 6:15 pm


    Being an excommunicated Mormon (because I live in a relationship with another ex mormon, both of us had served missions for the church) the church told us when we first moved in together that it was ok to be gay provided we never ever ever acted on our feelings. We had to live a celibate life. They even offered to help us rent a 2 bedroom apartment so we wouldn’t be tempted to sleep in the same bed (weird logic) when we declined their kind offer and told them we were in love we were quickly excommunicated. Mormons don’t accept gays, they still think its a learned behaviour that can be unlearned, this guy will live a celibate and lonely unfulfilled life sadly.

  7. Kenny Jimno

    September 7, 2011 at 9:56 pm


    Hey, My name is Brother Kenneth Allen Jimno for those of us like Brother Mayne that “Choose” to live our lives as worthy Preisthood Leaders made a commitment with the Lord.

    The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for me always Represents who the members are. People who are willing and ready to help edifiy one anoher.
    Because I strive to obey The Lords comandments I know without a doubt that the Members of Christ’s church will help me Endure!

    One example is the Love of my Stake President. A humble man that while in a meeting set for my partner, after their fasting and a prayer at the meeting with my partner inviting the Spirit of the Lord to be present. With great sorrow our SP advised us to remove our commitment rings followed by great Joy and gave counsel for us. The Lord would be our commitment and we two were to replace our commitment rings knowing that the Saviour is our commitment and the we continue loving each other.

    This was not giving the green light to disobey any commandment. This is in response to Paul’s comment that if two people love each other in True Love, I am freely willing to sacrefice a simple thing like sex. My love of my partner and the Lord is without end! We are not lonley! We do sleep in differnt beds in differnt rooms. But in no way are we lonley. In our home, The Spirit lives, in our home members fellowship, in our home we have many photos and poitrats of the wall of our lives together and in our home we have peace and in Our home we have Love.
    Durring my time as Ward Mission Leader, I gave talks to Missionaries as to never assume anything. I see the Apartment offered to you is filled of compassion.

    As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I live with my partner of 16 years. Our sacrafice and Love of each other and in the gospel is pleasing God. I know all these things are True and I say them in Our Saviours name Jesus Christ, Amen.

    Kenny Jimno, Lakeland Florida

  8. Jason

    September 10, 2011 at 4:25 pm


    Correction:

    I just thought I’d let the author know that the article erroneously refers to the church as “the Church of Latter-Day Saints.” However, the actual name of the church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” It’s actually a pretty significant mistake to leave out the name of Jesus Christ from the church name.

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