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From the day we are born into this world we have many idea's, theories, teachings, and traditions forced upon us. We are not to be blamed for this, as we are all products of the environment we are born into, however, as we learn and grow, we are presented with opportunities to gain new information, truth, and insights that can cause us to question some of those former mentioned ideas to determine if they are actually right or wrong. I believe in Jesus Christ, He has rescued me when I had no business to be rescued, and as His disciple I look to Him as the perfect example for how to love others. That said, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ have been people I have stayed away from, thinking that avoiding would be the best way for me to "love" them, you see it didn't quite fit into "my beliefs"... However, something miraculous happened in my heart as I prayed to God to help me love ALL others more. I started to meet some of the most amazing people I have ever known, like Richard Ostler, Stacey Harkey, and George Deussen, who immediately challenged my beliefs about loving as Jesus does, without saying a word... They showed me in action what Jesus' love truly looks like, and Stacey's story will help you understand, like I know now, that the idea of loving as Jesus does means to love in such a way that we pursue ALL people unconditionally, no matter what, and we bring them to the table.\xa0 Unconditional is key! Let Stacey's story sink into your heart and if you do not already love ALL unconditionally, challenge yourself to abandon old narratives placed in your mind by sources other than Jesus Himself, and love as He does. \n\xa0\n\xa0\nStacey Harkey, who some of you may know from his acting days on Studio C, shares his amazing story growing up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving a Mission, attending school at the Church owned University BYU, and coming out as Gay.\n\xa0\n\xa0\nThe interview was particularly special due to Stacey's love and devotion to God throughout this entire experience.\xa0 He talks about being younger and realizing there were things that were "different" about him than other boys, and how he took a part of himself that is very real and tried to lock it away in order to deflect some of the shame which caused him to question who he is.\xa0\n\xa0\n\xa0\nAfter serving a faithful 2 year mission for his Church, he returned home to start college at BYU. Stacey talks about his experiences dating women, and although he really liked some of the women he dated, he never felt an attraction to them so it felt like he was wasting their time. He had always been attracted to Men but this was against everything he believed was right and that he was supposed to do, so he kept it hidden with everyone but God.\xa0 He talks about taking his attraction to men to God and asking him to help and change it, but that never happened, and one day instead of asking God to change him, He asked God "Tell me what to do, and I will do whatever you want". He felt immediate peace and the sense that God loved him exactly how he is, and in fact created him to be just that... Himself. Stacey felt that God was saying to him "Why do you hate the way I made you?" and realized how arrogant he was being thinking that the perfect Creator (God), who doesn't make mistakes, somehow made a mistake on him."\xa0 Trusting this answer to his prayers he finally was able to embrace his authentic self and gain the courage needed to talk to his religious leaders, friends, and family.\xa0 He now feels more peace and freedom than he has ever felt.\xa0 Stacey loves God, and I could feel his deep love for God throughout our conversation.\n\xa0\n\xa0\nHis journey is amazing and so needed as young people growing up in families where coming out as LGBTQ is not safe, and some are even ending their lives to suicide feeling ashamed. Stacey is an example to show that it's ok to be yourself, to want true love in your life, and have the courage to talk about who you are.\xa0 Stacey is a hero to me