Unicorns and Bats<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I have yet to have the type of sit down I\u2019d like to have with Josh Weed\u00a0- to hash out events in the past and miscommunications that led to a collegial\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2018\/01\/unicorns-and-bats.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Unicorns and Bats\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I have yet to have the type of sit down I\u2019d like to have with Josh Weed\u00a0- to hash out events in the past and miscommunications that led to a collegial\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2018\/01\/unicorns-and-bats.html\" \/>\n<meta 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{"id":2706,"date":"2018-01-26T23:37:55","date_gmt":"2018-01-27T04:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/?p=2706"},"modified":"2018-01-26T23:39:02","modified_gmt":"2018-01-27T04:39:02","slug":"unicorns-and-bats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/mormontherapist\/2018\/01\/unicorns-and-bats.html","title":{"rendered":"Unicorns and Bats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

$\"th-1\"$ <\/a>I have yet to have the type of sit down I\u2019d like to have with Josh Weed<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 to hash out events in the past and miscommunications that led to a collegial chill between us in regards to things he wrote about the Mormon Mental Health Association that were unfounded. We had a chance to briefly meet at Sunstone this past summer and I look forward to more conversations and opportunities where we can build our friendship.<\/p>\n

It is with a heavy heart that I share the following post that he and Lolly published this past week in regards to their decision to divorce. There are many in the comments threads of my blog who quickly jump at the chance to dismiss my concerns about LGBT+ members, how they are treated in our church, and how our current interpretations of the law of chastity are abusive towards them. I would invite that before anyone dismiss me or my positions again\u2026 read this post in its entirety.<\/p>\n

I am absolutely not one that would relish in the \u201cI\u2019m not surprised\u201d types of reactions Josh references as \u201chuman nature.\u201d I\u2019m heart broken for Josh and his wife as I am for the many hundreds I\u2019ve seen in similar situations. Having to negotiate the impossible. Their beloved faith and belief systems at odds with their own nature. This is really not a story about this couple. This is a story of a system that consistently fails the LGBT+ community and the people that love them. My love and heart go out to you both Josh and Lolly. Thank you for your courage, your honesty\u2026 your vulnerability. <\/span><\/p>\n

Personal journeys\u2026 the breadth of them\u2026 awesome\u2026 inspiring\u2026 growth\u2026 error\u2026 ongoing\u2026 sacred.<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.joshweed.com\/2018\/01\/turning-unicorn-bat-post-announce-end-marriage\/.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST can be reached at\u00a0 natashaparker.org<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0runs an online practice,\u00a0 Symmetry Solutions<\/em><\/a>, which focuses on helping families and individuals with faith concerns, sexuality and mental health. She hosts the\u00a0Mormon Mental Health<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0 Mormon Sex Info<\/a>\u00a0Podcasts, writes a regular column for\u00a0 Sunstone Magazine<\/a>,\u00a0is the current president of the\u00a0 Mormon Mental Health Association<\/a>\u00a0and runs a sex education program, Sex Talk with Natasha<\/a>. She has over 20 years of experience working with primarily an LDS\/Mormon clientele.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"