Latter Gay Stories

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 N...

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...

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 ultima...

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 dichot...

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...

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 g...

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-d...

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 decid...

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 ...

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 ...

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 fam...

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 w...

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 Gal...