Out singer David Archuleta has long struggled with his sexual identity while being a devoted member of the homophobic Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a nontrinitarian Christian denomination also known as LDS or the Mormon Church.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the church denounces homosexuality and same-sex marriage as part of its law of chastity.
It also condemns homosexual behavior as sinful and the church's plan of salvation dictates that noncelibate LGBTQ+ individuals are denied entry to "the top tier of heaven" to be exalted.
Because of the church's anti-gay doctrine, growing up in the Mormon faith as a closeted LGBTQ+ person was an emotional struggle for Archuleta, who was plagued with thoughts of taking his own life and once had a panic attack over thoughts of having sexual intimacy with his then-fiancée.
But after Archuleta, who shared his first kiss with a man at the age of 30, came out as queer in 2021, he said he felt "liberated" and found an abundance of love and support from fans and friends.
But nothing was more impactful and validating than the love he received from his mother, Lupe, who chose to love her LGBTQ+ son unconditionally, ultimately leaving the Church in support of him.
Archuleta honored her mother with his upcoming track called "Hell Together," and posted about it in a viral TikTok video that elicited tears from fans.
He captioned the video with:
"This song is dedicated to those who show unconditional love in a world where it’s so easy to judge things we don’t fully understand, like my mom did to me."
"How my mom inspired my new song," wrote the 33-year-old singer in the clip's text overlay."
He introduced fans to his mom and continued:
"In 2021 I came out to her and told her I was going to start dating guys."
"She told me she loved me but that she loved God more and that she couldn't accept me going down a road she didn't believe was right."
Archuleta shared a screenshot of a People magazine article about leaving the Mormon church in 2022.
He said he hadn't heard from his mother in the days since the article was published.
"I thought she was pissed and would never hear from her again," he feared.
However, it turned out he needn't have worried as Lupe needed time to process her feelings before sending a powerfully moving message.
"And then she texted me."
"The message said she decided to step away from the church."
"She said 'I don't wanna be somewhere where my children don't feel welcomed, loved, and accepted.'"
She added:
"If you are going to Hell, we are all going to Hell with you."
Archuleta explained that while he didn't perceive Hell "as many other people do" conceptually, he understood the sentiment his mother had conveyed to him.
"And it meant a lot to me," he said.
The clip concluded with Lupe embracing Archuleta with a text overlay that read:
"Thank you for always love and supporting me mom."
He also talked about the concept of Hell in his caption, writing:
Although I see Hell differently than what most people of faith may see it as... even now transitioning out of faith, it’s not necessarily a concept I believe."
"Because even if God existed, I think God would be a lot more loving and accepting of differences than we give credit."
Fans were moved by the beautiful inspiration behind the new song.
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
Fans were also inspired to share their emotional stories.
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
@davidarchie/TikTok
More praise continued on X (formerly Twitter).
Since coming out in 2021, Archuleta has grown more confident about his sexual identity and more comfortable being in his skin than ever before.
The empowering change has led him to become an inspiring role model for the younger generation who are facing their inner struggles with faith and sexual identity, and he often pens encouraging messages to the LGBTQ+ community.
"Hell Together" will be available on March 28.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram