In “one of the hardest letters I have ever written,” Smart wrote in a Facebook message to family and friends that “I have recently acknowledged to myself and my family that I am gay.”
“The decision to be honest and truthful about my orientation comes with its own set of challenges, but at the same time it is a huge relief,” he wrote. “Living with the pain and guilt I have for so many years, not willing to accept the truth about my orientation has at times brought me to the point where I questioned whether life was still worth living.”
Reached Thursday, Smart confirmed that he sent the letter and said it speaks for itself.
Smart came into the public eye after his then 14-year-old daughter was abducted from their Federal Heights home in Salt Lake City in 2002. He remained in the spotlight as family spokesman throughout her nine months in captivity, during the trial of her kidnappers and as an advocate for missing children. He said his advocacy work will continue.
“The decision to be honest and truthful about my orientation comes with its own set of challenges, but at the same time it is a huge relief.” Smart, 64, wrote that he mostly watched in silence for years as many LGBTQ people both in and out of the church have been victims of ridicule, shunning, rejection and outright humiliation.
“I didn’t want to face the feelings I fought so hard to suppress, and didn’t want to reach out and tell those being ostracized that I too am numbered among them,” he said. “But I cannot do that any longer.”
A father of five children, Smart said he loves his family, and always will.
“Lois has been a loyal wife, and extraordinary mother, who has had to endure an impossible part of this journey. I deeply regret the excruciating pain this has caused her. Hurting her was never my intent. While our marriage will end, my love for Lois and everyone in my family is eternal,” he wrote.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3TmqOorZ6csm%2BvzqZmraCimq6le5Fta3FoYmeEbrHDZqqmmaKpeqet06Gcq2Wfm3qmuMizmJudpJ16tLnAq6tmmZ6jvLa6wp6qZqCVYra0ecaasA%3D%3D