Our Mission Statement

Evergreen of Dixie exists to assist men in overcoming the challenges of same-sex attraction, of related sexual addictions, and of other related issues and to encourage spiritual growth in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. This support group is founded on the belief that the Atonement of Jesus Christ enables every soul the opportunity to turn away from all sins or conditions that obstruct their temporal and eternal happiness and potential.

We attest that individuals can overcome homosexual behavior and can diminish same-sex attraction and are committed to assisting everyone in our area who wishes to work on related issues in their lives.

We provide access to education, guidance, and support to those involved in the transition from homosexuality and can make resources available to family, friends, professional counselors, religious leaders, and all others involved in assisting individuals who desire to change.

Evergreen of Dixie as an organization sustains the doctrines and standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without reservation or exception, but is not affiliated with the Church. General Authorities of the Church and LDS Family Services support Evergreen International, the organization on whose principles our group is based, and we receive support from area priesthood leadership and the local offices of LDS Family Services.

Evergreen of Dixie welcomes all people who wish to participate in the pursuit of these goals.

Expectations of Group Members

1. The desire to overcome homosexual and/or related sexual addiction challenges and support for the purposes of the group. A sincere desire to change and a commitment to working for one's goals.
2. Potential group members must demonstrate their commitment to change by educating themselves through reading a book or by some other means before joining the support group. New members may not attend the group until this has been done and they have agreed to the requirements of membership and signed the Code of Conduct.
3. Weekly attendance in the group is a sign of commitment and helps with consistency, trust, and accountability, so it is required. It will also help to rotate leadership of the group and planning of its activities between group members. If a member of the group needs to be absent due to travel, illness, or another important commitment, he needs to let the group leader or the advisor(s) know.
4. Group participants must show respect for other people's feelings and maintain confidentiality.
5. Maintenance of a safe and comfortable atmosphere for the other members of the group. This includes avoiding sexual relations, flirting, vulgar language, intentional portrayal of yourself (or others) as "gay," and the promoting of alternative views that do not conform with our mission statement or Gospel principles.
6. While frank discussions are encouraged, details about things like cruising spots, pornography and its availability, sexual acts, and anything that could cause a group member problems will not be mentioned. The point can be made without mentioning these details.
7. If any member of the group develops an inappropriate physical or emotional relationship with another person (in the group or out of it), he needs to discuss the situation with the advisor(s) right away, and the advisor(s) will determine whether or not the group member is still committed enough to remain with the group.
8. If any group member is uncomfortable about another group member, he should attempt to find a solution by talking to that member and/or to the advisor(s) about the situation.
9. Group members often welcome feedback and accountability, but judgmental attitudes are not welcome or helpful. Members can express their experiences and observations, but should not state authoritatively that other people will or should experience recovery in certain ways.
10. Group participants may not represent Evergreen International when communicating with the media, counselors, or Church leaders, or when speaking publicly without first receiving the express approval of the Executive Director. All public relations are handled by staff under the direction of the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees. Participants may tell others that they attend Evergreen meetings and discuss their own experiences if they wish to do so, but they should never represent their viewpoints or attitudes as being representative of other participants or of Evergreen as a whole.

Things that are NOT prerequisites for participation in our group (although they are encouraged):
1. To be perfect.
2. To have a perfect desire for what is right.
3. To have a perfect testimony of the Gospel.
4. To be completely active in the Church.
5. To confess all sexual sins to a priesthood leader.
6. To be in one status or another with regards to Church membership.
7. To be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
8. To make a certain kind of progress in a certain time period (although commitment and effort are necessary).

Evergreen Code of Conduct

SAFETY

1. All communications within this group are to be held in struct confidence. I will not mention by name (or by any other identying means) any member of this group to any person or persons outside the group. I will not disclose the location of the meetings with anyone outside the group except to immediate family members.

2. Potential new members of this group are interviewed and approved by the advisor(s) and group leader. Guests who visit meetings must be approved by the group prior to attending a group meeting.

3. The group must be a placeof safety. In my dealings with other group members or other Evrgreen contacts, I will strictly refrain from using crude or vulgar language, flirting, portraying myself or other same-sex attracted strugglers as "gay," and from promoting alternative philosophical or political views that do not conform to the mission statement. I will not have any sexual relations or conduct any other type of inappropriate physical or emotional relationship with other members of the group.

4. While frank and open discussion is encouraged, specifics should be avoided concerning cruising spots, pornography and its availability, and/or specific details concerning inapproprate sexual activities of anyone.

5. While socializing between group members can be helpful, this is not the group's primary purpose. I will ensure that extracurricular associations with group members are healthy and supportive. If I do associate with group members outside of meetings, I agree to disclose this to the group. If the group determines that this relationship has become unhealthy (either emotionally or physically), I agree to submit to their advice and counsel on the matter.

HONESTY

1. I will be accontable for my thoughts and behavior. I commit to openly and honestly report to my fellow group members on my progress and any setbacks.

2. I agree to call on group members when I am feeling tempted or discouraged. However, I won't continually contact the same person for help, but will seek help from various group members. I will report such contacts with group members at the next group meeting.

COMMITMENT

1. I support the mission statement of Evergreen International and will conduct myself according to its stated objectives.

2. I support Evergreen of Dixie in its purpose to assist me in striving to resist and refrain from acting on the temptations associated with my same-sex attraction.

3.Weekly attendance in the group is a sign of commitment and helps with consistency, trust, and accountability, so it is required. If I cannot attend a meeting due to an important commitment, I will notify an advisor or the group leader before the meeting.

In the case of possible violations of our group's standards, the group leader and the advisor(s) will speak with the group member and then prayerfully determine if compliance can be restored and if the person is still committed enough to remain with the group. If the group member is not willing to discuss such situations with an advisor, he may not continue as a member of the support group.

Because we all come to this group with varying perspectives on things, it is important that we follow a few guidelines that will help every member of the group to feel comfortable and supported.

Boundaries are best maintained through making them understood in advance and asking individuals to agree to them before being invited to meetings. New members need to speak with the group leader and the advisor(s) of the group before joining with us. Most of the following guidelines are simple Gospel principles, and a few are taken from the principles used by other successful support groups of this type.

Our group is specifically designed for Latter-day Saints (or others who can respect our LDS principles) who experience same-sex attraction challenges of one kind or another in their lives. Our philosophy is based on Gospel principles. This is mostly a support group, meaning we are here to support, teach, and encourage each other in each person's efforts to overcome the effects of same-sex attraction (and in some cases related sexual addictions). If a group member is looking for advice or suggestions, we can share our ideas, but we need to be sensitive to those people who may not want advice but rather just the opportunity to express themselves.

We want to avoid "acting out" behaviors with our group members, things like: saying things that are seductive, describing sexual activity in the kind of detail that will likely arouse other participants, using profanity, referring to body parts or sexual conduct with "street language" or slang, identifying acting-out places by name or in a way that others will know where they are, being seductive towards other members in other ways.

We also need to avoid "acting in" behaviors or other forms of denial, such as: being judgmental of the progress of others, making people feel like they can't share what they need to share, reacting adversely to the use of clinical terminology like "masturbation" and "sex," speaking from a position of moral superiority, and claiming that the only reason you come is to help others.

Everyone in the group is imperfect, and we all need to be tolerant and patient with each other, while at the same time developing good relationships with each other in which we will be able to encourage each other and truly support each other in each person's program for improvement.

Please realize that those of us with SSA struggles often have the personality types that are perfectionistic and that tend to focus on resolving the smaller situations. We need to be able to be tolerant of how each person approaches recovery and expresses himself and focus more on the greater goal of living the Gospel in our lives better.

This group is for the group members, and everyone's input is desired. Our group is dedicated first and foremost to our goal of being good disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This group and the relationships built in it can provide tremendous blessings for us and help us to eventually achieve Heavenly Father's ultimate goal for each of us, which is Eternal Life.

Here is an excellent article with many good ideas for anyone contemplating participating in a support group:
"Why Support Groups?" by Jason Park