In 2008, two of the three most commented posts at the Exponent blog centered on the LDS Church’s decision to get involved in Proposition 8, a California ballot proposition to oppose same-sex marriage. Additionally, it seems that Exponent commenters had a lot to say about human sexuality that year, with several posts about chastity and human sexuality-related issues in the top ten.
What I Would Say To My Bishop About Prop 8 by Caroline
It’s been a difficult month for me at church, since I am terribly saddened by the Church’s decision to mobilize the rank and file members against what I see as a civil rights issue.
The Other M-word by Jessawhy
So I’m wondering if single women who are torn between celibacy and premarital sex are masturbating? Maybe it’s a good idea.
Prop 8 Fallout: Where Do We Go From Here? by Caroline
So where do we go from here? Not only are there now deep divisions within our wards, but there are also hurtful divisions now between us and our neighbors.
Young Widows in the Church: Are they disadvantaged? by Jessawhy
Because of her sealing to her deceased husband, she is not on the market eternally, even though she may be available for the next 60 years or so. Perhaps this concept is of very little importance to potential mates, but perhaps it is.
Guest Post: The Path of Least Resistance by Jessawhy
So here we are. Anna and I, each following the path of least resistance. But, according to church doctrine, we will have very different eternal rewards. It seems odd considering our only difference is that I happened to have married young.
Great (S)expectations by Jana
Although I’d like to think that I got married for all of the “right” reasons, the bottom line is that I married for sex.
Ways to NOT Teach about Chastity by Caroline
I imagine most of us have experienced them -those chastity lessons that make us guffaw.
The Wise Girl and the Foolish Girl: Feminism in Primary by EmilyCC
Now, I know that Primary is not the place to preach my feminist ideals. So, while I don’t think I should do a lesson on the three waves of feminism during sharing time, I do try to bring in examples of underrepresented groups of people whenever I can.
Adultery and Church Discipline, is it Sexist? by Jessawhy
In my experience, four of the five of the men I know have been excommunicated for adultery, but none of the four women have been. Considering marital vows of fidelity run both ways, I am continually mystified by why church leaders appear to treat women differently than men for the same sin.
Guest Post: My Thoughts on Sarah Palin by Kelly Ann
Truth be told, I was a little excited when I saw McCain picked a woman…So, I decided to see what Sarah Palin is about.
7 Responses
Great archival reading! Thanks, April!
So interesting to think back to this time. I lived in California the first time marriage equality was voted upon, and although some people in the ward at that time were opposed to marriage equality, I didn’t feel like anyone gave me a hard time for supporting marriage equality. Living outside of the US during Prop 8, I was surprised at how many non-Californians, and non-Americans were actively and bitterly debating Prop 8. I supposed it was the increased use of the internet which fueled the fire, but within a few beats, California became the battleground for the world, which I believe then staged the forthcoming of marriage equality bills throughout the US and western civilization. Reading these posts have been an interesting reminiscence. Thank you.
This was the era when people started (jokingly) to refer to our blog as The Sexponent because of our propensity to discuss sexuality.
Ha! That’s amazing.
And remember when fMh was the gateway drug to Mormon feminism and we were the hard core stuff?
Thanks for sharing these. It’s a lot of fun to look back at these posts!
(I don’t know if it’s just me, but I can’t see the comments on Jessawhy’s “Other M-word” post. The page says there are 102 comments, but I can’t see them.)
I was just thinking back to all the Prop 8 stuff, and then I come across this. What a coincidence.
I was thinking about how a girl in my singles ward gave me a stack of prop 8 handouts to put at every door in my apartment complex, and I stuffed them in a desk drawer instead. I think that was the first time I’d felt so detached from my fellow members.