Born That Way?: A True Story of Overcoming Same-Sex Attraction With Insights for Friends, Families, and Leaders

by Erin Eldridge

Book by Eldridge, Erin

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Psychology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd tale by a bisexual about her journey from drugs and men to drugs and women and then to religion and men. She's better off without the drugs, but the rest isn't very insightful, as it is all colored by her recent embracing of Mormonism, which encourages ignoring reality to accept preconceived notions about human sexuality.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very hopeful book. My take-home message was Erin's realization that although she had setbacks in overcoming her addiction, and during her setbacks she felt like she had lost all the ground she had gained in the preceeding months, she actually was improving, and if she could chart her progress, it would be a jagged line with an upward slant.

[Nat · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star is far too many for this garbage. I found it on my parents bookshelf and curiosity got the best of me.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for anyone who struggles with same-sex attraction while also wanting to be a faithful Christian. Hearing Erin's story (as well as everyone else in the Appendix) broke my heart, but it's also amazing how far they have all come, and how much the Lord has helped them.

This problem is luckily more of a backburner problem for me, though it is something I have been questioning more about lately. Then I came across this book at a thrift store, and had to read it. I'm so glad I did, as it answered my questions, and helped me to see eternal truths, rather than what society thinks is the truth. My biggest dilemma with LGBT has always been the fact that it seems largely natural, but this book addresses just that with not only the author's viewpoint, but in scripture--in fact, that is how everything in this book is: scripture and quotes from Church leadership, and the author's further elaboration on it while pulling from her own experiences. I think that's why this book is so powerful.

I wish every Christian who struggled with same-sex attraction and wanted to turn away from it could be given this book, as then not only will they see that they're not alone, and that there is hope, but they will see just how much God is on their side, no matter how abandoned and confused they feel.

[Andi_banandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to abandon reading this book from the "scientific" theories in chapter 3. I'm also dubious about being able to foster opposite-sex feelings where they did not originally exist. The author also did not directly explain why what she was doing was so wrong. It did, however, have some nice insights, some spiritual. The most interesting one to me was the pointing out that Christ has both masculine and feminine traits and how it would be beneficial for all of us to foster our innate traits.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of Erin's challenge with same sex attraction and what it was like to leave that life for Christ.

[Petra · Rating 1 out of 5]

if you're here as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, thinking that something might be wrong with you or that you need 'fixing', please El know you're beautiful and worthy of love just the way you are.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because of all the controversy and I wanted some insight. As a single, heterosexual woman, I see many similarities between the gay and straight lifestyles: we both want marriage and companionship and can't have it because there is something "wrong" with us. As a woman, I also want to fill the measure of my creation and bear children, a topic Erin Eldridge never addressed in her book.
I finished the appendix and found it interesting that so many people who turned to the gay and lesbian lifesyle did so because of childhood abuse. If this book can help those suffering from the sin of both their own and other's evil choices and actions then Erin Eldridge's book is a good start on a path to healing. As the world celebrates those with the courage to "come out of the closet" perhaps those same people will also find the courage to speak up for victims of sexual abuse and how to avoid the trap that is leading so many good people "carefully down to hell".
Mormon or not, turning to Jesus Christ in order to make necessary changes is important and Erin does a good job of encouraging that but it could've been so much more if she'd had the courage to write it.

[Rebecca altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sensitive subject and one that the has been debated lately in the press. This author does a great job of giving HER view of what it was like and how she overcame a very tough struggle. I must say I liked it and will read it again. Helping people become more aware of the issues around us is important and helping to understand is vital. Some LDS people put their heads in the sand and think this is not within our church and that simply is not the truth. Her point of view is excellent and while it is not doctrine of the church I believe that books like this can help us gain a stronger testimony of God's love for ALL his children and all of our personal trials.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book that would have taken an incredible amount of courage to write! The author has forsaken a practicing homosexual lifestyle and written about the journey from feeling safety from within a homosexual lifestyle to a feeling of joy as she conquered and triumphed. Her aim in writing the book is to help others who know someone dealing with same-sex attraction to understand and support those who are trying to change. It is *not* a book for those who don't want to change but one for those who believe the commandments insist upon it and want to follow the Lord.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I first started working as a therapist and re-read it recently as a refresher. It's a good book to start with if you're LDS and find out a friend or family member (or yourself) struggles with same-sex attraction. Also has a good (but outdated now) bibliography of other suggested Christian and scientifically-based literature on the subject.

[Franziska · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book also shares the account of a female LDS member who has struggled with homosexuality, and has overcome it. Very interesting. She also dealt with many other problems. I think it was overall well-written and insightful, but maybe a bit too lengthy at times.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for those who may not feel same-sex attraction is something to "overcome", or for those that do not identify with this particular issue, I thought the author's perspective was profoundly insightful. I've returned to this many times as a resource to apply to other topics.

[Frogs4jb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this quite some time ago, but I remember that I learned from it and appreciated the author's point of view. Helped in my continual journey- trying to gain understanding- especially in relation to homosexuality.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

No I did not read this as a self help on this topic. It was refered by someone I really respected as a good atonement book. I did really enjoy it, even though I was sceptical at first

[Les · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, please. Don’t “overcome” who you are. This book is offensive.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific - probably the best I've found on the subject matter. Bold but compassionate, simultaneously understanding and unflinching, personal and broadly-expansive.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated her insight and honesty and her description of very tender and complex feelings.