Sometimes children’s songs can provide the simplest, most profound comfort to LGBTQ people. They break things down into readily digestible concepts that are very accessible. They resonate deeply into our souls. I’d like to highlight a queer application of four LDS Children’s songs to introduce the lyrics of each one. Listen to them when you feel down and discouraged.  The LDS Church already has amazing resources for the comfort, vindication, and support of queer people.  We are not alone, we are not wrong, and we are not afraid!

• “I Am a Child of God” emphasizes and confirms that ALL of us are truly princes and princesses of a King. Because we are literally children of our Heavenly Parents, we are members of their species and can grow to become like them. Thus, all LGBT people all have infinite worth and infinite potential, and deserve to be treated as such. We should treat others and ourselves with the respect that we would ultimately treat God. The concept of potential exaltation for everyone infuses our existence with unlimited dignity, honor, and respect.
• “I’ll Walk With You” is exactly what queer Latter-day Saints need to hear from the community that loves them. Queer people don’t walk or talk as most people do. As a result, some people laugh at us and walk away from relationships with us. By contrast, “I’ll Walk With You” celebrates the minority, by walking and talking with us and not letting us suffer alone.  That is how our allies show their love for us.
• “Every Star is Different” celebrates the diversity of the human family. We don’t all need to be alike. (The sky would be boring if every star were the same.) Rather, we need to be ourselves, and shine as brightly as we can as our true selves, queer and all! “You’re the only person / Who ever can be you.” You don’t need to pretend to be another star. You need to be you!
• “Little Purple Pansies” speaks of certain small flowers being part of a beautiful diverse garden, but at the same time also being marginalized in the corner, appearing small and insignificant.  In a culture and a world where the needs, concerns, and feelings of straight people are prioritized over the lives of queer people, we are literally shoved to the corner.  Straight people’s lives are centered, and ours are ignored.  However, we can spice up the garden and adorn it with our presence anyway, and fill out the garden.  That’s how we gladden the garden, and that’s why the garden needs us.  “Growing in one corner of the garden old; / We are very tiny but must try, try, try / Just one spot to gladden, you and I.”  Without the little purple pansies in the corner, our garden would be very boring indeed.  God loves a diverse garden, and our diversity brings joy to others no matter what the circumstances.

I Am a Child of God

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.

I’ll Walk With You

If you don’t walk as most people do,
Some people walk away from you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
If you don’t talk as most people do,
Some people talk and laugh at you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
That’s how I’ll show my love for you.
Jesus walked away from none.
He gave his love to ev’ryone.
So I will! I will!
Jesus blessed all he could see,
Then turned and said, “Come, follow me.”
And I will! I will!
I will! I will!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
That’s how I’ll show my love for you.

Every Star is Different

1. Ev’ry star is diff’rent,
And so is ev’ry child.
Some are bright and happy,
And some are meek and mild.
Ev’ry one is needed
For just what he can do.
You’re the only person
Who ever can be you.

A shining star, shining brightly,
Not so very far, shining brightly;
Be a shining star. Shine so brightly;
Shine right where you are, brightly!

2. I can shine for others
And let them feel my love,
Follow the commandments
That come from God above.
I can help another
To learn to choose the right.
Having faith and courage
Will let my star shine bright.

Little Purple Pansies

1. Little purple pansies, touched with yellow gold,
Growing in one corner of the garden old;
We are very tiny but must try, try, try
Just one spot to gladden, you and I.

2. In whatever corner we may chance to grow,
Whether cold or warm the wind may ever blow,
Dark the day or sunny, we must try, try, try
Just one spot to gladden, you and I.