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“American Idol” star David Archuleta has come out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community as he opens up about his experience reconciling his Mormon faith with his sexuality.
“I like to keep to myself, but I also think this is important to share because I know a lot of other people from religious upbringing feel the same way,” Archuleta wrote in an influential Instagram post. “I’ve been open about myself and my close family for several years now because I’m not sure about my sexuality.”
Archuleta then explained that he originally came out as gay to his family in 2014, but has since become unsure of where exactly he falls on the sexual activity spectrum.
“I came out in 2014 as gay for my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders, so maybe there was a bisexual spectrum,” Archuleta wrote. “Then I also learned that I don’t have as many sexual desires and urges as most people, which I believe because I am committed to saving myself until marriage. Which people call asexual when they do not experience sexual urges.”
Archuleta further shared that he felt it was important to open up to his fans about his sexuality, in case he could help those with the same uncertainty — especially religious people, like himself.
“There are people with the same feelings as being LGBTQIA+, (I know there are a lot of messages that a lot of people don’t understand, but there are a lot of unique experiences that people feel and have that make them feel isolated and lonely being represented) who struggle to follow their very important beliefs. For them, just like I did.” “I don’t know what to do with it and I don’t have all the answers. I’m just inviting you to think about making room to be more understanding and compassionate to who they are LGBTQIA+, and those who are part of this community and trying to find that balance with their faith that is also a big part of who they are like me. . “
He also encouraged other Christians and members of the Mormon Church to be more receptive to those known as LGBTQIA+, emphasizing that “you can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His evangelical plan.”
“I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-day Saints, to hear more about the struggle between being an LGBTQIA+ and being a Christian. There is more than you might realize to go through this struggle after all the misunderstandings that come with it,” Archuleta wrote. “I don’t think it’s about feeling the need to accept one or the other. For me, to find peace, the reality was to accept both the real things I experience and make who I am. I don’t yet understand what that means, but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter. Again, I don’t feel comfortable sharing it, but I felt like I needed to raise awareness for people in my same situation and let you know that you’re not alone.”
Archuleta followed up in the comments to his post, providing more details of his own journey toward self-acceptance and asking others to be open-minded.
“For people who don’t really understand how feelings outside of being a heterosexual are possible, I just appeal to be more understanding for people who experience and struggle with things that you may not experience and understand on your own,” Archuleta wrote. “I’ve been trying for about 20 years to try and change myself until I realize that God made me who I am for a purpose. Instead of hating what I considered wrong, I need to know why God loves me for who I am, and that it’s not just a sexual activity.”
Read Archuleta’s full post below.
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