A 12-year-old girl bravely came out as gay to her Mormon church – telling her fellow congregants “I’m not a horrible sinner for being who I am” before her heartfelt speech was abruptly cut off.

The girl, identified only by her first name, Savannah, announced she was a lesbian at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

“I believe I was made the way I am, all parts of me by my heavenly parents … they did not mess up when they gave me freckles or when they made me to be gay,” said Savannah, wearing a red tie, in a video taken by her mom Heather.

“I know I’m not a horrible sinner for being who I am. I believe God would tell me if I was wrong,” she added.

Savannah went on to say that she hopes to one day meet a partner, get married and have a family.

“I know I can have all of these things as a lesbian and be happy. I want to love myself and not feel ashamed for being me. I ask you–” she said, before the microphone cut off and she was asked to sit down.

Official church policy renounces married same-sex couples and prohibits their children from blessings or baptism until they reach a legal age – even though the church says it is possible to be Mormon and gay, according to CNN.

But according to the faith, gay worshipers can’t act on their feelings and must remain celibate.

“I had a feeling like I should come out to the church,” Savannah told CNN. “I came out to all of my family and I just wanted to do something more.”

Her parents trumpeted Savannah for her honestly – and bravery.

“She has more courage than I’ve ever seen in anybody,” said her mom Heather. “To be able to share something so personal with everybody. That made my heart soar as a parent.”

In an email, local bishop Judd Law said Savannah is welcome at the church with open arms – but did not say why her mic was cut off.

“This incident has created some tender emotions, first and foremost for a brave young girl,” Law told CNN. “As a congregation, we continue to reach out, and do all that we can to make sure she knows that we love her and her family.”