Latter Gay Stories

Latest Episodes:

173: A Gay Mormon Rescue? Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird: Panel Analysis Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

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

172: Brayden Singley | A Journey of Finding Myself Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

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

171: David Doyle | @NerdyGayMormon Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

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

170: The Naked Pastor | David Hayward Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

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

169: Carol Lynn Pearson | Loving My Gay Husband To Eternity Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

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

168: Laurie Lee Hall | From Temples to Transformation Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

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

167: Weston Smith | Gay Mormon Missionary: Survivor Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

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

166: Evan Smith | From Stake Presidency to LGBTQ+ Ally and Beyond Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

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

165: Paul Bird | Finding My Balance As a Gay Mormon Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

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

164: Josh Morris | An Honest Conversation About Being Gay Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

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

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