They arrived at these conclusions because they're religious, correct?
Perhaps try to persuade them using religious arguments based in theology, there are arguments out there from progressive Christians that support LGBT individuals. Although I'm not sure how much Mormonism complicates the issue here (aside from the Mormon Church being ridiculously anti-LGBT). Try to speak to them on their level, it may be the only way.
I haven't really pressured them for their reasons. I suppose I should. Assuming it's religion (probably)... I probably could debate theology, but they know I'm agnostic so I dunno. As for Mormonism, it doesn't have any additional doctrine against LGBT stuff, unless you count what high ranking officials have said over the years (note: the head of the church is considered a prophet just as much as any in the bible, so their speeches and such are considered on the same level as scripture. Despite, of course, various contradictions, but I won't get into that...).
You are yourself, and you should accept that they may not accept you right away or at all. Religion has deep roots that don't always disappear. If you just be yourself, and I'm sure that they'll see that you're still the child they raised. It's not like you're a drug addict or anything, so I would really hope they can get over it.
When I admitted I was pansexual (I worded it as bi, but whatever) I didn't change my day to day life at all. I still made coffee in the morning for my dad and I, and I still talked with them about the usual things. My advice is to not change a thing.
One last thing, a gay relationship should be treated just like a hetero relationship. Take your time to ease the person you're going to be with into you and your family's daily life. A solid relationship is a good thing, especially if your parents are skeptical.
Alright. This is pretty much what I'm doing. If anything's different, I'm vastly more talkative and outgoing. I was holding back
a lot of secrets so I was pretty silent beforehand out of fear of letting things slip.
Y'might wanna disabuse them of the notion that being gay is a lifestyle choice, incidentally.
Honestly, *
I* don't buy that as a valid justification
Choice is irrelevant to me whether it's "good" or "bad," so I'm not going to pull out an argument I don't agree with. It's not bad because there's no reason for it to be considered bad. That's it.
I've already told them that it's not really a choice, anyway. I was asked what it was that "made me change" by my mother, who apparently thinks everything is the result of Evil Outside Influences. I told her it's just who I was, and I think she accepted it (she said so anyway).
You can't make them accept it. Try to be as financially independent as possible as quickly as possible and let them deal with it.
Whatever you do, don't agree to stop looking at pornography or getting help from Jesus. If you give them a concession they'll never stop trying to get more.
They still ask me to come to family prayers and I've been consenting so far. I think I'll stop that one, in case they have any more delusions
And I don't want to "make" them do anything. I am however confident that they're good people and just indoctrinated. Anyone can change. I'm confident of that. I just don't want to screw up and make things worse
I just came back from an ice cream trip with them (yay), and had some decent conversation about goals in life and such. I don't know if they're coming around or not, but I'm not getting thrown out of the house. They're still going to help with college and my upcoming move.