SafeXmas Offers a Home for Gay Mormons Left Out in the Cold

The holidays aren't always heavenly, especially if you're LGBT. Queer youth raised Mormon often have complicated relationships with their families, but the safeXmas charity makes sure none of them spend Christmas alone.

From December 23-26, safeXmas takes up residence at the Courtyard Provo Marriott Hotel, offering meals, gifts, games, and rooms for LGBT youth with no place to go for Christmas. Through donations from allies, youth can share rooms at the hotel (four people per room) or chip in for their own room if they require privacy.

"Sometimes people are just so uncomfortable being alone at home and feeling so much rejection that they just want a place to spend time," Jerilyn Pool, the founder of safeXmas, told the Salt Lake City Fox affiliate. "The whole thing is about finding community and finding people who have the same experiences as you do, so being able to sit around a table and talk with people who really truly understand is really powerful."

If you'd like more information or to donate to safeXmas, click here.