Founder of Organization that Promotes “gender-affirming medical care” Speaks at BYU Women’s Conference

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share concerns over the organization’s message and BYU’s decision to host

Luke Hanson | June 23, 2023

With an attendance of over 12,000 women each year, the BYU Women’s Conference is the largest annual gathering of LDS women with the bulk of the conference being dedicated to breakout sessions on a variety of topics. Allison Dayton, the founder of an LGBTQ support organization called Lift and Love,  gave a talk titled “Loving and Lifting our LGBTQ children with Christ as our guide” at the 2023 conference.

The Presentation

The talk focused on 3 relationships: a mother’s connection to God, a mother’s connection to their LGBTQ children, and their LGBTQ children’s connection with God. The Lift and Love Instagram page has posted portions of Dayton’s talk in the ensuing weeks, one of which reads “Our LGBTQ children are under attack. The voices of the world tell them they are not valued as they are… Our children are constantly hearing these dangerous messages that cause shame and separation.” 

In the post’s comments, the Lift and Love Instagram page expanded on what “attacks” Dayton was referring to. They wrote, “think of the political landscape… think Florida, Texas, and Uganda, just for starters.” Uganda has recently passed laws increasing punishment for the already-illegal practice of homosexuality, including the death penalty for “serial offenders.” Florida has passed laws that, according to press releases by Governor Desantis this year and last year, ban: “mutilating surgical procedures and experimental puberty blockers for minors;” prevent teachers from being “forced to use pronouns not based on biological sex;” restrict minors access to “sexually explicit adult performances;” and prohibit “classroom discussion in grades K-3 on gender orientation and sexual identity.” Texas has passed similar laws.

While this discussion was received enthusiastically by some, others expressed concern about the implications of this message being shared at BYU. “I can tell you I believe ALL humans are valued, ALL are divine children of God” Pricilla Davis, a member of the Church and mother of three told the Chronicle. She continued, “But the question I have here is… if my personal beliefs (which align with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are that marriage was created by God (not governments), to be only between a man and a woman… is that a dangerous message? I believe it isn’t.” Priscilla has an Instagram page called @shesharesgoodness that “shar[es] the goodness of Christ.”

Josh Nelson, a young adult member of the Church who experiences same-sex attraction shared his concern about what was left out in the speech. “Allison Dayton… has everything wrong when it comes to the true nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to help members who struggle with same-sex attraction… [she does not focus] on what he has commanded us to do that will lead us to living with His Father after this life… We know that those who choose to live a Gay lifestyle… are breaking the law of chastity and are committing serious sins.” Dayton did not mention chastity, commandments, covenants, or the Family Proclamation in her speech.

Priscilla Davis believes any presentation at BYU “should include those things”. She believes “any advocacy group should not be a part of BYU Women’s Conference… I support the message of Elder Ahmed S Corbitt to parents, ‘please resist any type of evil speaking or activism toward the church or its leaders. These lesser, secular approaches are beneath you.’” The BYU Women’s Conference website states, “we welcome applications from individuals who will offer excellent, uplifting, testimony-building perspectives… BYU women’s conference speakers are not allowed to promote any personal projects or products and there is no compensation for speaking.” Dayton did mention her organization in the speech but did not promote it. The Women’s Conference office has not responded to questions from the Chronicle about if Lift and Love was advertised in other ways at the Conference, such as on presentation slides, clothing, or stickers. Additionally, they have not responded to requests for comment on the vetting process for potential speakers.

Lift+Love

Allison Dayton started Lift and Love after her son came out as gay. Lift and Love labels itself as a ‘faith-affirming’ space, a term often used to mean an organization that aligns with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Much of the material from Lift and Love includes scriptures, quotes from General Authorities of the Church, and encourages loving others as children of God. However, some have expressed concern with some of the messages shared by the organization.

In a series of recent posts, Lift and Love highlighted the alleged benefits of ‘gender-affirming medical care’ for minors by quoting Lisa Hansen, founder of Flourish Therapy Inc in Utah. Per their website, Flourish “writes letters for gender-affirming medical treatment.” Lisa Hansen received her 3 degrees from BYU and “taught a course on the Family Proclamation” during her graduate work. Lift and Love also has a post explaining that personal belief is what makes a person female, not their biology.

The General Handbook of the Church states “Gender is an essential characteristic of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The intended meaning of gender in the family proclamation is biological sex at birth… Church leaders counsel against elective medical or surgical intervention for the purpose of attempting to transition to the opposite gender of a person’s biological sex at birth… Leaders also counsel against social transitioning… Leaders advise that those who [take steps to] transition will experience some Church membership restrictions.”

Lift and Love has posted several things that seem to indicate support for choices not aligned with the Church’s definition of Chastity or the Family Proclamation. They conducted a poll and posted responses to the question “If you’re bisexual or pansexual, why don’t you just only pursue heterosexual relationships?” The answers they chose to share on their website included: “limiting options to what is socially acceptable doesn’t seem authentic to me”, and “I kind of [resent] the idea that heterosexual marriage is the default choice or ‘righteous’ choice.” They also have reposted a story from @lgbtcatholics stating “Encouraging someone to be themselves is the loudest way to love them.”

The organization has also alluded to the belief that doctrines and policies supported by the family proclamation can and will change. In response to a question in their Q&A Page they responded, ”The Church’s views have changed about LGBTQ+IA over the years, and may continue to evolve as the gospel continues to be restored.” They also have a series of Instagram posts with the header “Enlarge thy tent” in rainbow lettering.

Priscilla Davis shared her thoughts on this messaging from Lift and Love, “as far as I know, Lift & Love doesn’t do any evil speaking towards Christ’s Church or His leaders… but as an advocacy group, I do not support all aspects of their message. I do not support any advocacy group that even inadvertently wishes to change doctrines and policies of Christ’s Church.”

The Cougar Chronicle has reached out to Lift and Love for comment and will update this story accordingly.

The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.