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Twelve-Year-Old Girl Comes Out At Church But Is Asked To Sit Down

Twelve-Year-Old Girl Comes Out At Church But Is Asked To Sit Down

This is inspiring.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Coming out as gay is often an incredibly difficult experience. But once it happens it can provide a huge relief to the person as they get, what could have been a long-kept secret, off their chest. I would dub anyone who does it as brave because it does take a lot of courage.

But someone who does it in front of their Mormon church is particularly amazing. It makes it even more outstanding when that person is a 12-year-old girl.

Savannah got up on the lectern and told everyone: "I believe I was made the way I am, all parts of me, by my heavenly parents. They did not mess up when they gave me brown eyes or when I was born bald.

"They did not mess up when they gave me freckles or when they made me to be gay. God loves me just this way, because I believe that he loves all his creations. I do believe he made me this way on purpose."

Credit: YouTube/NewNameNoah

That short passage in itself is a tremendous show of maturity and bravery to say those words, at such a young age, in that setting.

The young girl adds: "No part of me is a mistake. I do not choose to be this way, and it is not a fad. I cannot make someone else gay and being around me won't make anyone else this way.

"I believe that God wants us to treat each other with kindness, even if people are different. Especially if they are different.

"I know I'm not a horrible sinner for being who I am. I believe God would tell me if I was wrong. I hope someday to go on dates, go to school dances, to hold hands, and to go off to college. I hope to find a partner and have a great job. I hope to get married and have a family.

via GIPHY

"I believe that if God is there, he knows I'm perfect, just the way I am and would never ask me to live my life alone or with someone I'm not attracted to. I want to love myself and not feel shame for being me."

As Savannah tries to continue, she's interrupted by the First Counsellor in the Stake Presidency, and asked to sit down. Luckily, the person who filmed the video allowed Savannah to continue the rest of her speech at another time.

The 12-year-old was meant to tell the church: "I ask that you all pay close attention to what you say, you never know who I listening. I had dreams of going to temple and getting married, and I was very sad when I found out that would never happen for me.

via GIPHY

"Today I choose to find my joy outside of my old dreams from when I was little. I have new dreams and I know my earthly parents and my heavenly parents love and accept me just the way I am."

Savannah should be commended for getting up in front of people and revealing who she is. That takes guts in most situations, but for her to do it in a church, which requires celibacy for homosexuals, is truly inspiring.Featured Image Credit: YouTube/NewNameNoah​​

Topics: LGBT, Gay