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 #Lauri

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 pub

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?

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