Mormon couple wed after husband came out as gay, say they have a 'happy, normal' marriage

Nicholas and Jordan Applegate got married last November but it raised many eyebrows as the husband has only months before come out as gay. The Mormon couple took to Facebook to share their sides of the story and claimed to lead a 'happy and normal' marriage. They are both 23 and deeply religious. The couple says their marriage is based on love. Nicholas says he views himself as a 'child of God' as opposed to a 'gay man.' Nicholas is, however, gay and he's been open about it. "I have known from a young age that I was attracted to men," said Nicholas, reported Comicsands. "As soon as I realized I was gay that I would follow the law of chastity and not engage in a relationship with a man. The couple confirmed that Jordan was pregnant and they were excited about the life ahead. Facebook users said Nicholas had been brainwashed by the church and added the marriage was eventually going to implode. 

Nicholas said growing up was tough for him. "It was an emotional roller-coaster, something I mentioned to almost no one before I became an adult, and which still was told to very few individuals after," he said. Nicholas said he felt different, gross, and embarrassed to talk about it. "It took years for me to process this and accept myself for who I was. However, unlike many that I have heard about in my situation, I had little doubt about my future standing in the Church."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Nicholas and Jordan are a part, believe LGBTQ+ are acceptable only if they suppress their identity and lead their lives as cisgender, heterosexual people. Nicholas could continue to be a part of the LDS Church if he didn't act on his sexual attraction to men. While many claimed the church was being regressive, Nicholas says he aligns with the church. "I am not denying my true self by living the tenets of the Church. I would be denying my true self by not living the gospel and leaving the Church to live a gay lifestyle," he adds. 

"Marriage is not based on lust but on love (like charity, the pure love of Christ), trust, and a desire to strengthen one another in a family environment," wrote Jordan. "Nicholas and I love each other so much, and we have a strong relationship. He supports me in my hopes and dreams, and I support him in his aspirations as well. We make each other laugh, we enjoy spending time together, and we are both incredibly happy to have an eternal marriage ordained by God."

"He is the sweetest man I have ever known, loves me unconditionally, and is the best partner I could have asked for. This is the life we both have prayed for, and it is the one we choose," wrote Jordan, also confirming that she was pregnant and expecting a child in 2 months. "I wish things in this life were simpler because my heart aches for my friends and family who cannot find peace in the Church and choose to lead a different life," said Jordan, before adding that she had nothing against those who are not members of the church. "But I do know that God's law is true, and same-sex marriage is not ordained of him," she wrote. 

The post was met with derision on Nicholas' post while Jordan stopped people from commenting on hers. "Religion is a cult, and you’re brainwashed," wrote Avery. Chloe thought  aloud, "And I wonder why our teen suicide rate here is insane?" Josh White asked, "You're willing to suffer because your "church" tells you what you feel is wrong?" Rene White commented, "I feel sorry for you. Escaping a religious cult was the best thing that ever happened to me." Greene added, "This is not going to turn out well for them in the long run..."

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