KASABAY ng pagdiriwang ng Pride Month, ibinandera ng American singer-actor sa buong universe na si David Archuleta ang pagiging miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community.
Buong-tapang na inamin ng “American Idol” season 7 finalist ang pagiging gay sa pamamagitan ng mahabang Instagram post kung saan binuksan niya sa madlang pipol ang kanyang tunay na damdamin.
Ayon kay David, na ilang beses na ring nakabisita at nakagawa ng proyekto sa Pilipinas at napamahal na rin sa mga Pinoy, noon pang 2014 siya nag-out sa kanyang pamilya.
Narito ang kabuuan ng madamdaming mensahe ni David hinggil sa paglantad niya bilang LGBTQIA+ member.
“I like to keep to myself but also thought this was important to share because I know so many other people from religious upbringings feel the same way.
“I’ve been open to myself and my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexuality. I came out in 2014 as gay to my family.
“But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual. 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 urge,” unang bahagi ng post ng American singer.
“There are people experiencing the same feelings of being LGBTQIA+, (i know that’s a lot of letters that a lot of people don’t understand, but there are a lot of unique experiences people feel and live that make them feel isolated and alone that are represented) who are wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them, just as I have.
“Idk (I don’t know) what to make of it and I don’t have all the answers. I just invite you to please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself.
“I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-day Saints, to listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith.
“There are more than you may realize going through that wrestle after all the misunderstandings that come with it. I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other,” pagpapatuloy pa ng binata.
Aniya pa, “For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am. I’ve yet to figure out what that means but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter.
“Again I don’t feel comfortable sharing it, but felt I needed to to bring more awareness to people in my same situation and let you know you’re not alone. You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan,” sabi pa niya.
Bumuhos naman ng mensahe ng pagsuporta at pagmamahal para kay David mula sa kanyang fans, celebrity friends at mga kasamahan niya noon sa “American Idol” kabilang na sina David Cook at Jordin Sparks.
Halos lahat ng nagkomento sa post ni David ay saludo sa kanyang pagpapakatotoo kasabay ng pangakong patuloy nila itong susuportahan.
Kung matatandaan, nakagawa rin ng teleserye noon si David sa Pilipinas, ang “Nandito Ako” na ipinalabas sa TV5 noong February, 2012.