Latter Gay Stories

Laurie Lee Hall was the Chief Architect for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Designing and overseeing some of Mormonism's most sacred spaces, this former Stake President and bishop made one of the most profound decisions of her life: authenticity. Laurie sits down with Latter Gay Stories in a follow up to her last interview (episode 168) and she shares with us her just published memoir, “Dictates of Conscience: From Mormon High Priest to My New Life as a Woman.” In this interview, Laurie pulls back the curtain to share a “behind the scene” look at how the First Presidency and other top church leaders govern the affairs of the church. She discusses her transition, excommunication, and restrictions placed on her because of her power to live her “eternal identity.” Through the power of lived experience, this interview affirms the reality of gender identity and the strength and joy of self-acceptance. Pick up Laurie Lee's book on Amazon or directly through Signature Books. #LatterGayStories #LaurieLeeHall #DictatesOfConscience

Chosen Path, a memoir by D. Michael Quinn is a story of self-denial and inner struggle, while Michael strove to follow through on his personal commitments faithfully. The memoir, published by Signature Books is an intimate look into the life of one of Mormonism's most prolific historians of church governance and LGBTQ intersections. Moshe Quinn, son of Michael Quinn and Barbara Jones Brown sit down to share a story of truth, struggle, excommunication, and honor. The book is available at your local bookstore, or available online through Signature Books and Amazon. Moshe is the youngest son of Mormon historian, D Michael Quinn. In some ways intersecting between them, Moshe has pursued the humanities and the arts through his life, with more emphasis than his father on the arts. He lives in the Bay Area where he teaches photography, digital art and filmmaking with high school students. Barbara Jones Brown is a historian and the director of Signature Books Publishing. She is excited that Signature has just published D. Michael Quinn's memoir, Chosen Path, and will be also be publishing the memoir of Laurie Lee Hall, a leader in the transgender community. In May 2024, Signature will also publish The Book of Queer Mormon Joy, an anthology of personal stories from across the LGBTQ spectrum.

Carmina and Sabrina were called to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Mormon missionaries. What they didn't expect was that they would meet each other--and eventually fall in love. This is a story about two Latter-day Saint women with unique stories of faith, of trial, of frustration, of hiding, and of freedom. Sabrina and Carmina share their stories about family, faith, and the future. #LatterGayStories #Queer #Lesbian #Bisexual #ComingOut

In 1998, the Fisk family faced what some might call a dilemma. A relative of theirs came out. Having been raised orthodox Mormon, Dan and Sara grappled with numerous questions: How should they navigate this news? What would the future of their relationship with their loved one look like? How could they move forward without sacrificing their standing in the Church?   As you listen, you will learn from the Fisk's story. For the Fisk family, Mormonism had always been central to them, then everything changed in 2017 when someone even closer to them came out: their daughter. What happens when you allow yourself to lift, support, and love someone different than you? The Fisks share their story. #LatterGayStories #LGBTQAlly #Parents #LGBTQ #Mormon

Jacob Lambert's story is about finding support from those around you. Raised in an active Latter-Day Saint family, Jacob's world view shifted when he began to figure out that he was gay at 16 years old. Despite his awareness of his sexuality, Jacob felt inspired to serve a mission and attend BYU. Little by little, as he let people in he felt more comfortable and confident in his identity and eventually decided to come out on Instagram in June of 2021. As his religious views began to shift, Jacob decided that part of living authentically and honestly would involve transferring out of BYU and being more open about his beliefs. Throughout his journey, Jacob decided to let people in and received mixed responses, but decided to listen most to those who loved him unconditionally. #LatterGayStories #ComingOut #BYU #GayMormon

Cameron Call grew up in Queen Creek, Arizona. He served a mission in Nashville, Tennessee—the same mission as his father. He married a woman in a Mesa Temple and has three children. He came out to his wife in 2018 after ten years of marriage and they decided to divorce in 2019. He and his ex-wife are helping their kids discover the beauties of life both in and outside of the Mormon church. This is his story of trying to meet the expectations of religion, life and society—and learning that there is happiness and joy in all the places he was promised it didn't exist. #LatterGayStories #Mormonism #ComingOut #EndureToTheEnd

In the final episode of our three-part story, Josh and Richard share the couch as a couple! They talk about dating, separating religion from their reality, family, navigating a vulnerable part of their lives, and MARRIAGE! They reflect on what they have learned through this journey, how their lives have changed, and what they hope for the future. Catch episodes 181 and 182 to hear Josh and Richard's individual stories.

Josh was thriving as a young, out, gay teen in the Philippines, but Mormon missionaries knocked on his door and he and his family ended up joining the Church. Soon after, his mother married a man from Utah, and Josh found himself living in a small religious town in Northern Utah. His life went from being openly gay and accepted to hiding his sexuality and being an ethnic minority in a community of opinionated Mormon farmers. Utah forced him to hide inside a “shell” because he found it impossible to live who he really was. In this interview Josh shares what he experienced as a convert from Catholicism to Mormonism, how he navigated homophobia in a small Utah town, and where he's at today—including his intergenerational, interracial, same sex marriage. This is part two of a three-part series beginning with episode 181. #Philippines #Mormon #Thrive #ComingOut #Marriage

What happens when a former Mormon bishop can no longer stay closeted and hidden? He grabs the door-handle, walks through that door and into a world he's avoided his whole life. Richard Mitchell was a very active, stalwart Latter-day Saint. He married a woman, had children, served in the church (including as Bishop) and tried to use the promises of Mormonism to “change” his sexual orientation. But was the “Mormon Message” sustainable for him? In this three-episode series, Richard shares a candid look into his journey through church leadership, marriage and divorce, navigating life outside of social and religious expectations, and so much more! Part Two of the series is Richard's husband Josh and Part Three will be the couple sharing their stories as married men (including some juicy details about their wedding!) #LatterGayStories #MormonBishop #ComingOut  

What started as a dream to paint the Brigham Young University campus in rainbow paint ended up encouraging Bradley Talbot to start a movement that changed the face of BYU and literally lit it up with color. Brad took on Goliath—the Mormon Church and he organized a group of people to light the iconic Y in rainbow colors…not once, but three times. But how did we get here? Who is Bradley Talbot? Why color the campus? And why did he feel compelled to advocate for the LGBTQ community and one of the nation's most orthodox universities?  He is going to tell all. 

My husband is gay, now what? In a topic not regularly discussed, Flo Montierth shares her story of dating, marrying and then divorcing a gay Mormon husband. As a lifelong lover of learning and teaching, Flo is an advocate for special needs and the LGBTQIA community. Navigating Mormon life in a mixed-orientation marriage was challenging, but leaning into those challenges opened new opportunities and new insights into Flo's personal journey—and expanded opportunities for her family. Through this journey, it wasn't just Flo's husband that will come out!  #LatterGayStories #MixedOrientationMarriage #ComingOut #Mormon

Joel was raised in an orthodox Mormon home, where rules were king—he never met a rule he didn't follow. His upbringing was one of “exact obedience”. PBS and KBYU were the only TV shows they were allowed to watch. He knew he was different, but didn't have words to describe what that difference was. Family life for Joel was tenuous, to put it kindly. While serving a mission he was released early to come back to Utah for conversion therapy. His parents refused to pick him up at the airport. Joel shares his story navigating his religion and his sexuality. He was a former member and employee of the Mormon church, held stake callings and served as an early morning seminary teacher. After doing all the “Mormon” things, like serving a mission, getting married in the temple, having kids, and serving the church, he still couldn't reconcile an intrinsic part of who he is. This is his story. #LatterGayStories #LasVegas #Mormon #Missionary #ConversionTherapy

Colby is a convert to the church, having joined at 17 years old. One year later, he left his family to serve a mission in Venezuela. He returned home from his mission after 10 months due to anxiety-depression. The root cause of this depression…he had been withholding a secret: "same-sex" attraction.  Not long after coming home from his mission, Colby met a woman who would eventually become his wife, and he remained closeted in an effort to allow God to “heal” him through his righteousness. After 15 years of marriage, and no longer believing that he needed to be “fixed,” Colby came out to his wife and they separated shortly after. What remains is Colby's story of authenticity, of learning to love himself, letting go of the person the world expected him to be, and best of all: finding true love.  #Mormon #MixedOrientationMarriage #Family #ComingOut #RuralUtah

Dr. Lacey Bagley is a queer Mormon and the owner of Celebrate Therapy. She has been married for 14 years to her husband Evan and together they have 2 young children. She's polyamorous and is navigating, with happiness, this chapter of her life.  What does the intersection of Mormonism and sexuality look like for Lacey? After devoting your whole life to religion, how can you reconcile its doctrine and policies against people like you? What advice do you have for others?  In this episode, Lacey takes us through a very candid discussion of the difficult and beautiful parts of her story.  It's honest. It's hopeful. It's a necessary discussion.  #LatterGayStories #Bisexual #Polyamory #Mormonism #MarriedAndMingling #CelebrateTherapy #BYU

At age 10 Jake was mercilessly bullied, the kids called him “gay” a word he didn't understand. Using the family's dial-up internet connection Jake turned to Google to better understand the word. A path of pain ensued. It would take Jake nearly seven years to finally say " I am gay" out loud.  In the wake of that coming out experience came shame, personal reflection, and a sexual assault. These factors convinced him to retreat back into the closet and further into Mormonism's seemingly safe protection.  Jake's story is one of healing, rising above the pain, setting religion aside, and finding strength and hope in the path ahead. #LatterGayStories #Mormonism #ComingOut #Healing

Born and raised in Utah, Nate Gardner did everything he was supposed to do to be a good Mormon boy. After serving a mission and going to BYU Nate came out of the closet—fearing he would lose his family.  Because of love, respect, communication and boundaries, Nate is closer to his family now as an openly gay man than he ever was when he was in the church. And he has his husband to support him.  You don't want to miss the story of Nate's Christmas miracle, and what happened inside a Latter-day Saint chapel in Utah county.  #LatterGayStories #Love #Family #CultureVersusLove 

Throughout Mormonism's history there have been a series of "rescues" where grassroots members, teamed with local church authorities, band together to rescue Saints in despair.  Are we seeing an LGBTQ+ rescue in Mormonism? We're digging in...and talking about it.  Inspired by Elder M. Russell Ballard's charge to "better understand the LGBTQ community," Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird, gay Latter-day Saints, have been training ward and stake leaders/members on LGBTQ inclusion and love. Through these efforts, Ben and Charlie aim to change the tradition and culture surrounding queer experiences in Mormonism and creating a space of better understanding regarding sexuality in the church (not much is being said about gender identity).  In this special episode hosted by Latter Gay Stories and Mormon Stories, a panel of queer voices, moderated by John Dehlin, tackles this topic by analyzing a recently recorded fireside in a Surrey British Columbia Stake. Is this new method of training effective? Does it move the needle? #LatterGayStories #BenSchilaty #CharlieBird #GayMormonRescue #LGBTQMormonism 

Viral Tik-Tok creator Brayden Singley sits down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to spill the tea on life as gay man with Mormon roots. Brayden was born and raised in Northern Utah. He grew up a member of the LDS Church, served a 2-year mission in the state of Washington and attended BYU. In this episode Brayden candidly shares his story of shame, guilt, pornography, sexual experiences, rising above societal judgement—and ultimately finding his footing as a gay man in a seemingly unforgiving world. It's a wonderful episode about hope, and about following your heart. Please leave your comments and questions about this episode. If you haven't yet, please subscribe to our LatterGayStories YouTube channel. Clicking the big SUBSCRIBE button guarantees you'll get instant updates whenever we post new content. That way, you won't miss any videos from Latter Gay Stories. #ComingOut #HookUps #SexualExperience #GayMormon #GayStories

David Doyle is a Latter-day Saint from Florida. He is humble, reliable, lovable, nerdy, and gay. He is an active Latter-day Saint with stake leadership callings—and it is through those callings that he is able to fulfill some of his self-described “life missions”. Many people might argue that David's life is not sustainable—that by choosing to remain an active Latter-day Saint he must deny his sexuality. David addresses that dichotomy and shares much more about the benefits of being a queer Mormon, including his continued friendship with apostle, Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund. David is the person behind the very popular @NerdyGayMormon Tumblr handle, sharing positive, honest, and sometimes difficult discussions at the intersection of LGBT Avenue and LDS Street. #LatterGayStories #NerdyGayMormon #MormonAndGay #DavidDoyle

He's known around the world as The Naked Pastor—and you've likely seen his cartoons on social media or in print—but who is David Hayward and why does his art speak so loudly for the LGBTQ+ community? David sits down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share more of his story and offers a behind the scenes peek into his talent. Have you had to deconstruct what you once believed in? Did you leave your church but not your faith? As a former church leader, David beautifully shares his journey about deconstructing religious beliefs, how to find community and connection after leaving religion, uniting and supporting the marginalized communities—and stories behind some of his most famous cartoons and art. #TheNakedPastor #DavidHayward #LGBTQart #Compassion #Deconstruction

Carol Lynn Pearson is a Mormon icon. In the early 1960's two monumental experiences happened in her life: she married Gerald, a gay man—and she published her first book. From that first publishing—and her relationship with her gay husband—Carol Lynn Pearson forged a path forward for Latter-day Saints to better understand the LGBTQ experience. Her life has been a lesson of love, compassion, understanding and advocacy. Escaping the gazing eyes of Utah Mormons, the Pearson's left Salt Lake City and settled in California to allow their little family the opportunity to embrace the unknown and to grow in uncertainty. Through her best-selling book, “Goodbye, I Love You”, Carol Lynn allowed the world too peer into the Pearson family story. For the first time a well known Latter-day Saint family was openly talking about homosexuality, mixed orientation marriage, kindness, advocacy, harmful doctrine and more. In this episode Carol Lynn sits down with Kyle to dive deeper into that journey, discuss the impact it had on Mormonism, and how marrying a gay man changed her life. #LatterGayStories #CarolLynnPearson #Family #Love #ChurchOfJesusChristofLatterDaySaints 

At age five Laurie Lee Hall knew she was different, but she didn't have words for what the “difference” was. For her, language—and better understanding wouldn't come until many decades later. Few transgender people have had more influence on Mormonism than Laurie Lee Hall. Prior to (and sometimes during) her process of transition she served as a Bishop, Stake President, and Chief Architect for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She designed numerous temples, chapels, designed the rebuilding of the Provo City Center Temple, and the design of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Did the First Presidency and other Church officials know she was transgender? Yes! And how they interacted and treated her is part of this interview. Laurie's story is fascinating look at Mormonism, the inner workings of the church, and how honesty and authenticity create incredibly beautiful and resilient people. #LaurieLeeHall #LDSChurch #Transgender #FirstPresidency #ProvoTemple #LatterGayStories

Weston Smith came out as gay while his dad was serving as a bishop in the Mormon church. His parents were understanding, but navigating life a gay Mormon teen, trying to better understand your sexuality, and remain the “best” Mormon possible is often a recipe for disaster. Weston was no stranger to the turmoil that often comes from being gay and Mormon—a situation, for Wes, that led to serious suicidal ideation. He ultimately decided to serve a mission as an “out” gay Mormon, but even in the mission field the suicidal thoughts persisted. It was there, on his mission, that he resolved to leave the church and live an authentic, happy life. After leaving his mission early and finding complete familial support, Weston has thrived. He recently published a memoir titled, ”This Body of Water”, detailing his journey and what the future looks like for him. A copy of Weston's book is available at WestonSmithBooks.com. Weston's father, Evan, shared his individual story with LatterGayStories as episode 166 on this podcast.  #LatterGayStories #ThisBodyofWater #WestonSmith #Love #Honesty    

Evan Smith met the intersection of sexuality and religion while serving as an LDS Bishop and eventually in a Stake Presidency. It didn't take long before Evan began to better understand the difficult and impossible restraints the Church's policies and doctrines place on LGBTQ Mormons. In the midst of these dichotomies, Evan, and his wife, Cheryl learned that their own son, Weston, was gay. The Smiths learned that understanding and advocating for LGBTQ people takes a sharp turn when someone close to you is directly impacted by this topic. As a result, Evan and Cheryl became allies and advocates for queer Mormons, and Evan used his position in his Stake Presidency to directly discuss this topic with General Authorities and Latter-day Saint congregations. In this episode, Evan candidly shares his discussions with Church leadership, what his family has learned having a gay son, his current membership status in the Mormon church, and what we can all do to better understand the LGBTQ experience. Evan Smith is also the author of Gay Latter-day Saint Crossroads, a book he acknowledges was written to explain, and hopefully do something productive with the pain that comes from the church's teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity. The book also explores whether the church's current position on gay sexual behavior is more reflective of human prejudice than it is of divine truth. Evan also uses the book to try to make amends for any harm he caused in the past as a leader in the church. Download the book for FREE by visiting www.GayLDSCrossroads.org #GayMormon #LatterGayStories #QueerLatterDaySaint #MormonLeader #GayLDSCrossroads

For orthodox Christians, especially Latter-day Saints, Paul Bird's life doesn't fit the mold. He admittedly loves the Word of Wisdom, but loathes the Law of Chastity. And that is where is story blossoms. Paul is from Tucson, Arizona. He grew up Mormon and, in the closet. He decided to come out when the exclusion policy was leaked in November 2015. Paul shares a candid story about sex, agency, chastity, charity, love, and carving a way through Mormonism that works for him. As an active, non-temple recommend holding Mormon, Paul details where his journey has taken him and the joy he's found along the path. #LatterGayStories #PaulBird #GayMormon 

Josh Morris was raised in a very small, rural Utah community. Living as a closeted gay teen, in a predominately Mormon town leaves a lot to be desired. The community isn't rich with diversity or opportunity when it comes to understanding your sexuality. In this episode Josh candidly shares his story. He opens up about the good, the bad, the mistakes, and eventually--the successes. How do you come out (and thrive) to your Mormon family, who believes in religious and organizational fundamentalism? #LatterGayStories #EphraimUtah #Fundementalism #Mormon

Melinda Hannah is no stranger to pain or trauma. She battled her own traumas while simultaneously watching other's experience their own. Melinda is an artist. She used her talent and brush to paint to tell the stories of the marginalized people among us. While meeting with members of the LGBTQ community who were dying of AIDS, she visioned an art project that would show the world the love and beauty that encompassed these men and women who had been rejected by their families. In time, Melinda, an active Latter-day Saint, began painting the portraits of the LGBTQ+ Mormon community. She wanted the world to see their beauty, their love, and their worth. After displaying her works of art in 5 cites across the United States, Melinda sits down with the Latter Gay Stories audience to share her story. She shares more about the portraits, what the project meant to her, and the lives that were influenced because of this Portraits of Courage project. www.MelindaHannah.com  

Latter-day leaders have often warned that happiness, truth, and spiritual experiences are only found within the framework of Mormonism—Colter's story defies that narrative. Shortly after coming out to his "Provo Mormon" family, Colter began to navigate his own course of spirituality, connection, and mindfulness. Outside of the church, he was able to find all the things his former Mormon leaders told him he wouldn't. Colter is a Galactic Shaman who has found success as a spiritual guide—exploring various exalted states of consciousness. If you are navigating outside of Mormonism and looking for new forms of spirituality, Colter's story will impact you. You can find Colter on Instagram @ColterWild #LatterGayStories #ColterWild #Mindfulness #PlantMedicine #Hypnotherapy

The LatterGayStories podcast has been following over a dozen same-gender couples that are facing excommunication (membership councils) from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their offense: being legally and lawfully married. In April of 2019, the Church publicly announced that same-sex couples would no longer be considered apostates and subjected to mandatory excommunication. Instead, the Church proclaimed that “immoral conduct in heterosexual and homosexual relationships will be treated the same way.” However, determined bishops and stake presidents have often used their personal bias and ignorance to continue the excommunications of gay members—despite church leaders stating that these excommunications are not happening. Join us for a special 7.5 HOUR LatterGayStories and Mormon Stories episode where we sit down with Brennan and Douglas. They are a married couple from Idaho who were just subjected to a membership council for being in a legal, monogamous marriage. And they provide an audio recording of that council. But there's more… When asked by Douglas and Brennan why they *really* were being forced out the church, the bishop and stake president couldn't keep their stories straight. The church leaders piled lie upon lie to justify their actions. They accused them of making evil social media posts about the church, accused them of drinking coffee and tea, and even compared their legal and lawful marriage to a husband and wife embroiled in infidelity. We have the audio recordings of the phone calls, meetings, and the membership council itself and we will play them during this interview. We want to use this episode to show the constant misrepresentations, deflections, and gaslighting perpetrated by LDS bishops and stake presidents to protect “the good name of the church.” And we also want to show the harm that is done to good people when you use ignorance and prejudice to force people out of the fold. Is there a place for same-sex couples in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? #PrideMonth #LDS #BehindTheScenes #LyingforTheLord #Mormon #MembershipCouncil 

In less than one year, five students at Brigham Young University have amassed a social media following of nearly 1,000,000 people. The group, calling themselves the Black Menaces, create videos online that have been liked and shared more than 25 million times and messages supported by celebrities and influencers around the globe. So, what are these BYU college students doing to create such a buzz? Using a cell phone camera and microphone, the BlackMenaces are exposing the candid reactions of BYU students through questions about race and social justice. It's no surprise, given the nature of LDS/LGBTQ policies, that the most viral videos produced by the BlackMenaces are directly related to the LGBTQ community and the Mormon church's treatment of queer people. We've invited the Menaces into the studio to share their “revolution” with the LatterGayStories community. In this episode we dive deep into the BlackMenace story and learn more about the people behind the TikTok and Instagram videos. Why did they start the social media project, and what they've learned in the process? This episode is a candid and honest discussion about Mormonism's racial and prejudicial problems. #LatterGayStories #BlackMenaces #BrighamYoungUniversity #MormonChurch

For the Packer's, love and connection brought them together—and it was honesty and authenticity that helped their love and connection flourish. In this fascinating story of love and transformation, Kay and Kris share their early dating experiences—and marriage as a lesbian couple. It was later in that marriage that Kris transitioned as a transgender male. As the couple loved, they learned—and as they learned, they lived. This is the third and final episode in the Packer series. Kay shared her individual story in episode 157. Kris shared his story in episode 158. These episodes and others are available in video form on the LatterGayStories Facebook and YouTube pages. All of our podcast episodes are ready to download now everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Love #Transgender #Growth #Mormonism #LGBTQMormon #UtahGay

Kris Packer has a long Mormon history. His father, Lynn is a Mormon historian, and Kris' great-uncle is apostle Boyd K. Packer.   What happens when you come out to your family as a lesbian, but as life progresses, your journey through love and connection helps you to connect the dots and come to understand that you are also transgender?   Kris had great family support through his life and even through the learning, bumpy stages, found connection and love in even the least-likely spaces.   In this episode Kris discusses his family relationship, meeting his wife Kay, working in public education—and then gender transitioning as a school principal. How does his school and students react?   This episode is part of a three-part interview. Kris's wife, Kay is episode 157 and the couple sits down together in episode 159.   #LatterGayStories #Transgender #PublicEducation #Married #MormonRoyalty   This episode is available now as a video on the LatterGayStories Facebook and YouTube pages.   

Kaylene Packer was a very normal Mormon girl. She went to church, she prayed, and she tried to hide an important part of her identity...she was really, really into girls. Growing up Latter-day Saint, you quickly learn that there isn't a road map designed to help you thrive as a closeted lesbian girl. But Kay tried. Ultimately, her journey led her to embracing who she was, to coming out, to finding love in a relationship, and then—familiar to many Latter-day Saints: breaking off that relationship to give Mormonism another chance. Kay's story is deep and full of twists—including marrying her wife, a niece of apostle, Boyd K. Packer. And then Kay's wife eventually coming out to her as a transgender man. Together, Kay and Kris navigated a new dynamic in their marriage. Join us for this special three-part interview series. The next three Latter Gay Stories episodes are Kay's story, her spouse, Kris' story, and finally an interview together, as a couple. #LatterGayStories #Lesbian #GayMormon #FIndingLove #BreakingTheShell

Ashley was born male into a Lutheran home in Texas. At a young age, Ashley knew she was different. Not having language for what that "difference” was, she navigated her journey the best she could. It was finally an Oprah episode featuring a transgender story that gave her the WORD that described how she felt. Well after puberty, high school, dating –and while in college, she finally felt the power to lean into her truth. Currently a stand-up comedian, and a casting director for reality television, Ashley Ryan sits down to share her story, how religion and education impacted her path, and what life looks like post-transition. #LatterGayStories #AshleyRyan #Transition #Transgender #Truth #Oprah

Kray was a remarkably normal Mormon. He knew he was gay, but did everything in his power to deny and hide it. If you bury it, it doesn't exist, right? He gave everything to the church, served a full-time mission, and then enrolled at BYU. All this to bury what he was (a normal gay man). As he was leaving his mission, Kray's mission president made him a promise: if you date and marry a woman, your SSA (same-sex attraction) will disappear. Kray believed him. It was his experience at BYU Idaho that changed Kray's life forever. His story involves a professor, a new friend, an affair, losing his education at the University, and reassembling the shattered pieces of a life that ‘once was'. Kray's story is more familiar and relatable than most want to admit. It is raw and candid. Catch the video version NOW on the LatterGayStories You Tube channel. The audio version of this podcast is available everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Trying #BYU #HonorCode #ComingOut #Happiness  

In a surprising move, BYU-Provo administrators dismissed three transgender clients from the BYU Clinic on 2/7/2022, and informed their student/faculty clinicians that transgender patients needed to be transferred to providers OUTSIDE of BYU. The patients were being seen at the on-campus BYU Speech and Language Clinic for speech therapy. BYU administrators informed the clinic and faculty that service to transgender patients is a violation of the LDS Church Policy (as found in the LDS Handbook) and is contrary to BYU principles.  In this live stream discussion, we are joined by R.J. Risueno, Lisa Hansen, and Wendy Chase. All three guests are clinicians who serve this population. We also discuss in more depth, revelations about what happened behind the scenes, who made the decisions and what does this mean for BYU's desire to create bridges to the LGBTQ community through its Office of Belonging. #LatterGayStories #Transgender #HIPPA #HealthCareForLGBTQ #Discrimination  

From an early age, Duane felt drawn to better understanding life from two perspectives: science and spirituality. His desire for knowledge and the human understanding led him to better understand empathy and opportunity. Shortly after returning home from his Mormon mission to South Africa, Duane realized that his life was best lived in authenticity and honesty. The author of Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones shares his personal story and how embracing his identity made all the difference. This episode is also available as an audio podcast available everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Spirituality #Science #ComingOut

Page knew she was different, but Mormonism has a way of convincing you to keep those “different” feelings buried deep inside. Those feelings and natural connections can only stay hidden for so long—and eventually they blossom. After coming out later in life, Page Petrucka shares her journey of finding happiness, understanding her divine worth, harnessing the power of good friends, and thriving in affirmative spaces. She shares her experience coming out to her family, no longer fearing her sexuality, and learning first-hand that happiness does exist where religion told her it didn't. Enjoy this and many other episodes online at LatterGayStories.org and on our YouTube channel. An audio version of this episode is available everywhere you catch your favorite podcast episodes. #LatterGayStories #LesbianMormon #GayMormon

They're back! Cole Rasmussen (episode 145) and Kent Carollo (episode 142) sit down together—as a couple to share their story of dating, connection, and engagement.    Where do gay Latter-day Saints learn to date? Where do they learn how to navigate the world of feelings, connection, and the very real desire to be loved?   In this episode Kent and Cole describe their experience coming out, accepting and honoring their divine creation, and finding each other in the process.   This is candid and real-life love story.   VIDEO VERSION ALERT...**Be sure to stick around for the end, there might be a really cute wedding video ;) **   The video version of this episode is also available on our Latter Gay Stories YouTube Channel and our LatterGayStories Facebook page.   #LatterGayStories #GayLoveStory  

There isn't a manual or Sunday school lesson that teaches us how to prepare for our child's coming out experience. For parents (especially Mormon ones,) you often feel wholly unprepared for the news. For many Latter-day Saints, we aren't trying to understand this topic because we are convinced it isn't relevant to us—because something like this doesn't happen to families like ours. Right? In this powerfully candid and honest episode, Glen and Sandee Traasdahl share their mistakes, their successes, and the beautiful experiences they've learned as they navigate their son's coming out experience. ** This episode is a must watch for all parents. ** The Traasdahls discuss: Their son's coming out experience. Visiting with their bishop and stake leaders. Navigating their own faith and understanding. Wading through feelings of loneliness and fear. Searching for helpful resources. Suicidal ideation and depression. Love and acceptance. Joy. #LatterGayStories #Learning #ParentsofGayKids #LGBTQ

In this special outdoor episode, we sit down with James Kent in the beautiful Iao Valley on the island of Maui, Hawaii. James shares a stunning history of Hawai'i including the native Hawai'ian's respect to the topics of sexual orientation (aikāne) and gender identity (māhū). James also shares a tender story of his own journey. His is a message of coming out, marrying a woman, joining Affirmation, watching his friends succumb to the AIDS epidemic, and how he has found aloha in his journey. Aloha ia O'Koa Pa'ulo #LatterGayStories #Aloha #Hawaii #Mormon #Aikane #Mahu

As a convert to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tommy Francesco wanted to do what was right. He studied with the missionaries, joined the church, obeyed the word of wisdom, served a mission and generously gave of his time and talents—but Tommy was gay and that reality met him at every intersection in Mormonism. One weekend at BYU, a kiss with another man changed Tommy's life forever. That kiss was a violation of BYU's Honor Code. Within days, Tommy had been stripped of his academic credits and expelled as a student at BYU. Then came church discipline. This is a story of the trials and experiences of a person who tried to do good and to follow what felt natural and whole. #LatterGayStories #BYU #ComingOut

Brandon Spevak's life was familiar to many Latter-day Saints. He served in leadership callings, he married his wife in the temple, and together they started to raise their young family. In the midst of that journey, feelings within Brandon's heart and soul began to expand. Brandon began to understand more about Brandon. As he reached into the darkness his world opened up into beautiful rays of light. It led to an increase of happiness and a brand-new future. He met new people. He made hard decisions.  He discovered more about himself. He no longer needed to run from the person he is. This is a story about doing what is right and letting the consequences follow. It's a story of navigating a really difficult journey of coming out, rearranging everything comfortable in life, and finding authenticity and honesty. The video episode is available on our Facebook and YouTube pages. The audio episode is available everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. Links to this and 150 other episodes are available in our bio. #LatterGayStories #ComingOut #VeryMormon #Authenticity #Married

Over the last six decades, Latter-day Saint leaders encouraged mixed orientation marriages as the only best option available to gay Mormons. Many gay Latter-day Saints used these types of marriages to diffuse their feelings of same-gender attraction, hoping (and believing) that God would provide a way for them to create a traditional family. In this episode, Tate and Kara Avey share their experience in a mixed orientation marriage. They discuss the four essential characteristics that help to make a marriage like theirs successful: open communication, a high level of personal commitment, adaptability, and a nuanced religious position. This is a candid discussion about a marriage that is non-traditional, but also exists because of informed consent, compatibility, and desire. Are there mixed orientation marriages that work? Yes, of course! Let your truth be true. Many people have walked this path, the Avey's invite you to hear their story. #LatterGayStories #MixedOrientationMarriage #ChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints #Marriage #Love

In an office at the Church Office Building—overlooking the angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake Temple, Cole received a blessing from Elder Cook. In that blessing Cole was promised that he would be able to marry a woman, have children, and eventually serve a mission with his wife. Unfortunately for Elder Cook, the priesthood power of a general authority could not make Cole straight. After years of navigating (and trailblazing) a path of authenticity and honesty, Cole has found joy in his journey, and love in his life. In this episode he shares what it took to get him to this point—and what he's learned along the way. #ComingOut #Authenticity #Love #BeTrue #ChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints #LatterGayStories  

As COVID restrictions lift, and Latter-day Saints return to in-person church services, behind the scenes there is a rising desire to purge gay Mormons from membership in the Church. For a growing number of legally married gay couples, Mormon church leaders are actively and fervently excommunicating them from Church membership.   Just ONE WEEK after Jeremy Adriano and Randy Wellbaum were legally married, their church leaders terminated their membership by excommunication. The couple was told that if they dissolved their marriage, they could remain members of the Mormon church—despite church leaders saying gay marriage is no longer considered apostasy.   In this episode we take a deep dive into the lives of Randy and Jeremy and discuss why, as gay men, they remain active in their faith and why they CHOOSE to worship with a Church that considers them apostates.   Randy and Jeremy were excommunicated for falling in love.   #Mormon #Excommunication #GayMarriage #November2015 #LatterGayStories #ChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints

Let's face it, no parent expects (or can adequately prepare) for their child to come out. With few social and religious resources available to help parents navigate this journey, where do you turn when your child needs you the most? Three fathers, all with different backgrounds, share their candid experiences raising sons who identify as gay. They talk about the coming out process, where they made mistakes, what they learned, navigating religious issues, telling friends and family—and so much more. The dads discuss some difficult topics and share how they reacted to some comments like: "If I knew my tithing dollars were going to BYU to help gay kids graduate, I'd call and complain!" "How can you choose between your church and your child?" "As LGBT people we are pretty easy to love, because we don't get it very often, so we can easily recognize it when it happens." "Part of our process was to grieve what we were losing. That was real." #LatterGayStories #ComingOut #ParentsOfGayKids #DadsOfGayKids

“I never missed general conference, I held leadership positions, I served a mission, I studied at a church school, I got married—you reach a point where you do all the things you believe are best and true, but when there are no more boxes left to check, and you still feel a certain way, you have to start to ask yourself some really significant and often difficult questions.”  Kent Carollo sits down with Latter Gay Stories to share his journey from the closet, to coming out and navigating a world that to him, seemed to be incredibly foreign and inaccessible. His story is a message of hope and love. It is a story of kindness and doing what is right—despite the many voices that encouraged him to “stay true to gospel truths”. #LatterGayStories #ComingOut #MixedOrientationMarriages   

In April of 2021, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a disciplinary council for Natasha Helfer. Natasha has been a personal ally and friend to the LGBTQ+ community. In her professional career, Natasha has opened doors to healing and growth for better mental and sexual health among queer people and their families.   In this special episode, Natasha interviews Kyle Ashworth of LatterGayStories about his experience attending her disciplinary council held in Derby, Kansas. They discuss LGBTQ/Mormon relations, a little history on the topic and what the future looks like for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.   This episode originally aired on The Mormon Sex Info Podcast: Facebook.com/mormonsexinfo   #LatterGayStories #Mormons #Excommunication #NatashaHelfer

Uprooting your life and making a course correction is never an easy experience. In this episode, Tanner Jones shares his experience coming out to himself, his family and his young family. He describes his experience trying to do his very best and his path to happiness—even if it meant divorce and leaving his lifelong faith tradition. Tanner’s story is a candid look into the lengths many gay men will go to “do what is right” in the face of doing what is honest. This is Tanner's inspiring story of coming out, divorcing and leaving Mormonism.   #LatterGayStories #ComingOut #MixedOrientationMarriage 

Where do parent's turn for education, guidance, wisdom and direction when their child comes out? How does religion and society impact the well-being of our youth? What did you wish you had known prior to your child coming out? Join us for this panel discussion as we hear four candid stories from mothers who navigate this journey with their gay and lesbian children. What worked? What didn't? How can we do better? Danette Tolman and her daughter are lesbian. She shares her own personal coming out story and experience and how being queer gave her the tools to better support her daughter in her own coming out journey. Sherine Smith has a gay son. Sherine discusses the difficulties of being Latter-day Saints in this space. She offers loving advice to church leaders and other mothers on this path. Jill Mortensen has a lesbian daughter. Nuanced from Mormonism, Jill openly shares the difficulties their family experienced from the policies and doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ. Her advice to "love first" a beacon of hope and growth. Liisa Frei shares her nearly two decade journey supporting her gay son. She shares the many resources available to parents today and reassures the community that our queer youth are vital to the health of our communities.