Latter Gay Stories

Latest Episodes:

183: Richard and Josh | A Love Story Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

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.

182: Josh Castro-Mitchell | From the Philippines to Utah: Finding My Happiness Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

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

181: Richard Mitchell | When A Mormon Bishop Comes Out Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

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

180: Brad Talbot | I Colored The BYU Campus in Rainbow May 24, 2023

Show notes

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.

179: Flo Montierth | My Husband is Gay, Now What? May 11, 2023

Show notes

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

178: Joel J | I Tried to Do Everything Right Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

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

177: Colby Majors | "Now Thank Him and Let Him Go" Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

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

176: Lacey Bagley | Bisexual, Married, Polyamorous and Thriving Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

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

175: Jake Shepherd | I Was Unprepared to Come Out Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

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

174: Nate Gardner | Mission, BYU & (gay) Marriage Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

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

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