“Imagine” series: Understanding heterosexual privilege, by Kim Crump

"I wish to urge upon the Saints . . . to understand men and women as they are, and not understand them as you are" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:37, April 6, 1860, emphasis added).

Welcome to a new series on our blog: “Imagine.” At times it is hard for straight cisgender folks to understand the LGBTQ world, but on this blog we’re lifting up insights that make it easier. Today’s guest author is Kim Crump, mother of a gay son.

“How would you like it if we never wanted to hear about your dates you went on, how you love your spouse, that you are so glad you married them. We don’t want to see you kiss or hold hands in public ever. Don’t even put your arm around them as you sit on the bench at church. It’s disgusting, and you are just pushing your relationship in others’ faces.

“No selfies with your loved one on Facebook and please don’t talk about how great they are on Instagram. We don’t need to see pictures of you two having fun and living your lives together.

“That would be absurd and very unfair and cruel to ask you to do this.

“We forget our heterosexual privilege. It is a very real thing.”

-Kim Crump (Listen, Learn and Love, Richard Ostler, 144, used with permission)

Guest author Kim Crump is the mother of a gay son who adds, “I follow the blog on Facebook and love what you post. Keep up the great work.” Thanks for being a part of it, Kim!

"There never seems to be a polite way of saying, 'Look, the problem isn't me. It's your inability to greet me as I am instead of how you want me to be” (Blaire Ostler, Listen, Learn and Love, Richard Ostler, 157).