American Idol alum David Archuleta has come out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and is opening up about his experience reconciling his Mormon faith with his sexuality in an extensive two-part Instagram post.
The 30-year-old singer wrote, “I like to keep to myself but also thought this was important to share because I know so many other people from religious upbringings feel the same way,” wrote the Season 7 Idol runner-up, who was raised Mormon.
“I’ve been open to myself and my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexuality. I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual. Then I also have learned I don’t have too much sexual desires and urges as most people which works I guess because I have a commitment to save myself until marriage. Which people call asexual when they don’t experience sexual urges.”
“There are people experiencing the same feelings of being LGBTQIA+ (I know that’s a lot of letters that a lot of people don’t understand, but there are a lot of unique experiences people feel and live that make them feel isolated and alone that are represented) who are wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them, just as I have,” he continued.
The singer was reluctant to put a label on his sexuality and stressed that he doesn’t “have all the answers,” he encouraged his followers, particularly religious ones, to “please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself.”
“I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-day Saints, to listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith. There are more than you may realize going through that wrestle after all the misunderstandings that come with it. I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other,” he wrote.
“For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am. I’ve yet to figure out what that means but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter. Again I don’t feel comfortable sharing it, but felt I needed to bring more awareness to people in my same situation and let you know you’re not alone. You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan.”
After maxing out Instagram's character count, Archuleta continued sharing his final thoughts in his post’s comments section, writing, “For people who don’t really understand how feelings outside of just being heterosexual can be possible and OK I just plead with you to be more understanding. … I’ve tried for almost 20 years to try and change myself until I realized God made me who I am for a purpose. And instead of hating what I considered wrong I need to see God loved me for who I am and it’s not just my sexuality.”
He concluded with “… If other people choose to live differently than what you’ve been raised to believe is right, please have compassion because it’s most likely been an exhausting journey for them to be OK with the feelings they have and never have been able to change. So let’s keep asking and seeking, and having compassion and patience. Thank you for listening.”
Read David Archuleta’s full post
In the comments of his post, many fans, celebrities, and fellow American Idol alum shared words of love and acceptance for David Archuleta. This includes Kevin McHale, Jordin Sparks, Joy Williams, Abby Anderson, David Cook, and more.
“I am so proud of you and proud to know you,” said American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. “You are so loved, David.”
