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David Archuleta comes out as member of LGBTQ+ community

Rappler.com

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David Archuleta comes out as member of LGBTQ+ community

COMING OUT. David Archuleta, seen here in his 2017 Rappler Live Jam performance, opens up about his sexuality.

File photo by Alecs Ongcal / Rappler

The ‘American Idol’ alum opens up about his struggles reconciling his sexuality with his faith as a Mormon

American Idol alumnus David Archuleta came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community on Saturday, June 12, saying that he “tried for almost 20 years to try and change” himself as he dealt with reconciling his faith with his sexuality.  

In his Instagram post, the singer-songwriter admitted that he was uncomfortable sharing this personal aspect of his life, but wanted to raise awareness for “other people from religious upbringings” who felt the same way. 

“I’ve been open to myself and to my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexuality,” he said. Archuleta said he came out in 2014 as gay to his family, and later identified as bisexual after realizing that he had similar feelings for both genders. 

“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,” he added. 

Archuleta, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the Mormons), said that while this spectrum poses more questions for other people, what’s important is for people of faith to be more compassionate towards LGBTQ+ community members. 

“I just invite you to please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQ+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith, which is also a huge part of their identity like myself,” he said.

The 30-year-old singer-songwriter stressed that religious people could do better in listening to the “wrestle between being LGBTQ+ and a person of faith.” 

“For people who don’t really understand how feelings outside of just being heterosexual can be possible and ok, I just plead that you be more understanding to people who experience and struggle with things that you may not experience and understand yourself,” he said. 

The singer said these differences in beliefs should warrant kindness from each other. “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,” he said.

Archuleta then opened up about coming to terms with his sexuality and his faith. “I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other. For me to find peace, the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am.”

“You can be part of the LGTBQ+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan,” he declared. 

Archuleta said his journey towards acceptance wasn’t easy. “I’ve tried for almost 20 years to try and change myself until I realized God made me how I am for a purpose. And instead of hating what I have considered wrong, I need to see why God loved me for who I am and it’s not just sexuality,” he said. 

The singer advised his followers to be more open in expressing their opinions. “Even if you’re left with so many more questions with faith and sexuality like me, I believe being open to both questions and to faith is how we receive answers. So let’s keep asking and seeking, and having compassion and patience,” he ended his post. 

Fellow American Idol contestants and friends in the industry wrote messages of support on his post. “Love you man, and so proud of who you are,” David Cook said.

Jordin Sparks commented, “I am so proud of you and proud to know you. You are so loved, David.”

David Archuleta’s Instagram

Archuleta rose to fame after finishing second on American Idol in May 2008. He released his eighth album, Therapy Sessions, in May 2020.

Archuleta has performed in the Philippines several times, even starring in a series with Jasmine Curtis-Smith and releasing an album of covers of classic Filipino songs. – Rappler.com

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