Latter Gay Stories

Latest Episodes:

122: Judith Mehr | I painted some of Mormonism's most iconic art—and I was closeted. Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Judith Mehr is arguably one of the most well-known artists continually commissioned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has painted prophets, apostles, murals, and some of the most iconic gospel art used within the LDS Church. Behind that talent and her paintbrushes lived a secret. Judith was gay—and feared coming out. This is her story.

Judy shares her experience growing up closeted, college life at BYU (where she was tasked to spy on women in her dorm to determine if they were lesbians), finding (and hiding) a partner, coming out and finding her authentic self.

The video version of this podcast is available on our website at LatterGayStories.org, our Facebook page and YouTube.com/LatterGayStories.

We invite you to like our Facebook page where we publish content weekly and subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest video episodes of this podcast.

121: Yaeger Chivers | Coming Out, conversion therapy and finding my way forward. Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

Yaeger Chivers sits down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share his story coming out in a small, Utah town, navigating his sexuality within the Church, his experiences with conversion therapy programs, and trying to please his family—while repressing his identity.

He touches upon the difficulties of trying to meet the expectations of society and family, and what it took for him to live his best life, despite what others thought of him.

This episode is provided in both video and audio versions on our Facebook page, YouTube channel or listen wherever you find your favorite podcast episodes.

120: Justin Utley | Coming out, conversion therapy, and using music to advocate Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Justin Utley, singer, songwriter and LGBTQ advocate sits down with Latter Gay Stories for an epic, in-depth interview. Justin shares the painful details of his coming out experience, conversion therapy, the deaths of people close to him and what he's doing to make a difference in the lives of the LGBTQ family. Using music and his vocal talent, Justin has performed worldwide sharing a story of hope to the LGBTQ community. He continues to fight on a local, state, national and international level for a complete ban of conversion therapy. Find Justin's latest album SCARS, available for download on his website at www.JustinUtley.com

119: Brock Messinger | Raw. Candid. And a little messy. Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

Sometimes we need to hear the raw and candid journey—unfiltered and real. This is Brock's story. This is a no-holds barred interview where Brock shares his complete journey. It includes depression, leaving his mission early, suicidal thoughts, Grindr, hook-ups and ultimately finding love in the most unsuspecting places.

Brock shares his feelings about growing up LDS and trying to tow the line to look, act and be a good Mormon. He served a mission which ultimately led his Mission President to out him to his parents.

For the next hour we invite you to listen to Brock's story of survival and eventual thriving as a husband and father.

The video version of this podcast episode is available at LatterGayStories.org, YouTube and on our Facebook page. We invite you to share, like and subscribe to LatterGayStories!

118: Picnic In The Park | Latter Gay Stories, Let's Love Better & Peculiar Aug 11, 2019

Show notes

Let's Love Better: Susie Augenstein, Peculiar: George Deussen and the Latter Gay Stories Podcast teamed up for a Picnic In The Park to help the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, and allies share an evening of food, fun and friendship.

For those allies, church and community members who are looking for ideas to better understand the LGBTQ+ experience, events like this are monumental. We become better people when we understand and involve ourselves into unfamilar situations.

This short podcast/video is the program portion of the event. A special thanks to the more than 300 people who supported the picnic and to Esera J. Mose who rocked the night with his voice!

117: A. Todd Jones | Navigating My Marriage, Coming Out, And Helping Others Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

In this interview we sit down with A. Todd Jones as he shares his story of living in a mixed-orientation marriage, dating, coming out, finding authenticity and what he's doing in his life now to help the LGBTQ community.

A. Todd Jones dives deep into his coming out story—a story very relatable to the many who struggle to understand who and what they are.

The video version of the podcast and others are available on our Facebook and YouTube channels, online at LatterGayStories.org and the audio podcast is available wherever you find your favorite podcasts!

SUBSCRIBE to our channel now!

116: Valerie Green | Finding My Identity and the Path of Authenticity and Happiness Jul 18, 2019

Show notes

She was married to a woman and found solace secretly cross-dressing to help her find her inner beauty. While navigating this journey to best understand her gender identity, Valerie Nicole Green took the crucial steps to live a life of authenticity and honesty.

Valerie shares her story of her youth, holding stake and bishopric callings, coming out to her family and friends, life within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the death of her wife, and where her journey has taken her today.

Together, we can better understand the journey our trans brothers and sisters navigate.

#Transgender #TransMormon

115: Bryce Cook | Understanding the History: Homosexuality and the LDS Church Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

If you're a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and navigating a journey to understand the intersection of religion and sexual orientation, we invite you to join us for this Latter Gay Stories episode.

Bryce Cook is an active Latter-day Saint, father of two gay sons and the author of "What Do We Know of God's Will For His LGBT Children? An Examination of the LDS Church's Position on Homosexuality."

In this episode, Bryce Cook and Kyle Ashworth fairly and candidly breakdown the history of LGBT discussion within the Church, changes within the policies and doctrines, social impacts and what the future might look like for the LDS and LGBT communities.

We invite all Latter-day Saints to listen to this interview, regardless of how you personally feel regarding these topics. We invite you to follow the counsel of Elder M. Russell Ballard who invites the Saints "… to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly, we must do better than we have done in the past." Link to Bryce Cook's essay: CLICK HERE

#Mormons #ChurchofJesusChristofLatterdaySaints #LGBTMormon #LGBT #Gay #GayChristian

114: Sarah and Madi | We Found Ourselves: This Is Our Story. Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

Sarah Cunha and Madison McConkie sit down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share their story.

Sarah is a BYU graduate and remained closeted growing up in the Church. In this episode she opens up about her experience coming out, sharing the news with her family and navigating life as a gay woman at BYU.

Madison shares her experience as a closeted youth, LDS missionary and student of Dixie State University.

Sarah and Madison have found each other and continue their journey of authenticity and honesty, on their terms.

113: LGT Panel Discussion | Church Leader Session: Affirmation Conference Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

This episode features discussion from Ben Schilaty, a gay Latter-day Saint, Jodie Palmer, a lesbian Latter-day Saint, and Ann Pack, a transgender Latter-day Saint. Each person in this panel discussion offer their personal experiences being queer and LDS. They offer tips, suggestions and glimpses into their experience, in an effort to help others better understand their path.

As Elder Ballard admonished, "...we need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where their brothers and sisters love them and where they have a place to worship and serve the Lord."

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