The legacy of the SSA Mormon show continues to be a point of fascination and friction within the intersection of religious studies and LGBTQ+ discourse. Primarily associated with the 2015 TLC television special, My Husband’s Not Gay, the concept of a SSA Mormon show refers to media portrayals of individuals within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who experience same-sex attraction (SSA) but choose to pursue traditional heterosexual marriages. This specific cultural artifact highlights a unique linguistic and psychological landscape where religious identity is prioritized over secular labels. By analyzing the SSA Mormon show, we gain insight into how faith communities navigate the complex waters of modern sexual identity while adhering to ancient doctrinal pillars.
Deconstructing the Terminology: Why “SSA” Matters
In the world of the SSA Mormon show, language is everything. The acronym SSA, meaning Same-Sex Attraction, is intentionally distinct from identifying as “gay” or “queer.” Within the LDS framework, “gay” is often perceived as a social and political identity that might imply a lifestyle outside of church standards.
Participants in the SSA Mormon show utilized this term to describe their feelings as a clinical or external challenge rather than an inherent part of their “eternal” self. This distinction allowed them to remain active participants in their faith, holding leadership positions and participating in temple ordinances that are strictly reserved for those following traditional marriage patterns. The SSA Mormon show effectively acted as a window into this linguistic strategy, showing how words can be used to reconcile internal desires with external religious expectations.
The 2015 TLC Special: A Cultural Lightning Rod
When the SSA Mormon show first aired, it was met with a firestorm of international media coverage. The special followed four men in Salt Lake City: Jeff, Pret, Curtis, and Tom. Three were married to women, and one was actively dating women. The central narrative of this SSA Mormon show was that these men were not “repressed” but were making a conscious, faith-based choice to build families within the LDS structure.
However, the public reaction was largely critical. Many viewers saw the SSA Mormon show as a modern-day iteration of “reparative therapy,” even though the participants denied trying to “change” their orientation. Instead, they claimed they were “managing” their attractions. This nuance was often lost in the mainstream media’s portrayal, leading to a massive petition by GLAAD and other organizations to cancel the program before it even premiered.
The Psychology of Mixed-Orientation Marriages
A significant portion of the SSA Mormon show was dedicated to the wives of the men. These “Mixed-Orientation Marriages” (MOMs) are a reality for thousands of couples within high-demand religions. The show attempted to portray these unions as being based on deep emotional intimacy and shared spiritual goals, which they argued was more sustainable than “fickle” sexual chemistry.
In the SSA Mormon show, the couples spoke about their “transparency.” They argued that because they were honest about the husband’s attractions from the beginning, their bond was actually stronger than average marriages. However, critics and mental health professionals who watched the SSA Mormon show expressed concern about the long-term psychological impact on both partners. The pressure to maintain a “perfect Mormon family” image can often lead to hidden trauma, a theme that has been explored in subsequent documentaries and podcasts by those who have since left such arrangements.
Doctrinal Foundations and the LDS Perspective
To understand the motivations behind the individuals in the SSA Mormon show, one must understand the LDS doctrine of the “Plan of Salvation.” In this theology, the highest level of heaven is reserved for married couples (a man and a woman). Therefore, for the men in the SSA Mormon show, getting married to a woman was not just a social preference—it was a perceived requirement for eternal exaltation.
The SSA Mormon show highlighted the internal conflict of wanting to reach this spiritual goal while having natural inclinations that pointed elsewhere. The church’s stance has evolved since 2015, moving toward a more compassionate tone, yet the core requirement of heterosexual marriage for “exaltation” remains unchanged. This creates a perpetual need for the kind of “SSA” framework depicted in the SSA Mormon show.
Media Representation: From 2015 to Today
Since the original SSA Mormon show aired, representation of LDS members with same-sex attraction has diversified. We now see a spectrum of stories:
-
The Traditionalists: Those who, like the men in the SSA Mormon show, choose mixed-orientation marriages and remain active in the church.
-
The Affirming Members: Those who remain in the church but push for policy changes and identify openly as gay.
-
The Ex-Mormons: Those who have left the faith to pursue same-sex relationships and have become vocal critics of the “SSA” terminology.
The SSA Mormon show served as a starting point for these broader conversations. It was a raw, often uncomfortable look at how one subculture tries to make sense of a universal human experience within a very specific dogmatic box.
The Role of Community and Support Networks
Following the broadcast of the SSA Mormon show, interest in support groups like North Star International spiked. These organizations provide a community for those who want to live the “SSA” lifestyle rather than the “gay” lifestyle. The SSA Mormon show helped normalize the idea that there was a community for people who felt they didn’t fit into the LGBTQ+ world or the “standard” heterosexual world.
Conversely, the SSA Mormon show also catalyzed the growth of “post-Mormon” spaces. Many people who felt isolated by the depictions in the show sought out communities that validated their sexual orientation as a healthy, unchangeable part of their identity. This divergence shows the powerful role that a single SSA Mormon show can play in shaping the life paths of its viewers.
Conclusion: The Lasting Echo of the SSA Mormon Show
The SSA Mormon show remains a controversial and essential piece of cultural history. While it was only a single hour of television, its impact on the conversation surrounding faith and sexuality cannot be overstated. It challenged viewers to consider the limits of religious freedom and the complexities of personal identity. For some, the men in the SSA Mormon are heroes of faith; for others, they are cautionary tales of the dangers of religious dogmatism. Regardless of one’s perspective, the highlights the profound human desire to belong—both to one’s faith and to one’s true self—and the difficult choices that arise when those two worlds collide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is an “SSA Mormon show”?
It refers to media, most notably the 2015 TLC special My Husband’s Not Gay, that documents members of the LDS Church who experience Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) but choose to marry the opposite sex and follow church teachings.
2. Why do they use the term “SSA” instead of “Gay”?
In the context of the , “SSA” is used to describe a feeling or a “trial” that one experiences, whereas “Gay” is seen as a social identity that may conflict with the religious identity and requirements of the LDS Church.
3. Is there a sequel to the original SSA Mormon show?
No, there was never a direct sequel to the TLC special. However, many participants have since appeared in interviews, podcasts, and blog articles to update the public on their lives and marriages.
4. What was the LDS Church’s reaction to the show?
The church issued a statement at the time of the SSA Mormon show clarifying that it did not produce the program and that “the Church does not promote marriage as a cure for same-sex attraction.”
5. Are mixed-orientation marriages common in the Mormon faith?
While not the “norm,” they are a recognized path for many LGBTQ+ individuals who wish to remain in good standing with the LDS Church. The SSA Mormon show brought this private aspect of the culture into the public eye.
