Latter Gay Stories

"I never missed general conference, I held leadership positions, I served a mission, I studied at a church school, I got married—you reach a point where you do all the things you believe are best and true, but when there are no more boxes left to check, and you still feel a certain way, you have to start to ask yourself some really significant and often difficult questions."  Kent Carollo sits dow...

In April of 2021, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a disciplinary council for Natasha Helfer . Natasha has been a personal ally and friend to the LGBTQ+ community. In her professional career, Natasha has opened doors to healing and growth for better mental and sexual health among queer people and their families.   In this special episode, Natasha interviews Kyle Ashworth of Lat...

Uprooting your life and making a course correction is never an easy experience. In this episode, Tanner Jones shares his experience coming out to himself, his family and his young family. He describes his experience trying to do his very best and his path to happiness—even if it meant divorce and leaving his lifelong faith tradition. Tanner's story is a candid look into the lengths many gay men wi...

Where do parent's turn for education, guidance, wisdom and direction when their child comes out? How does religion and society impact the well-being of our youth? What did you wish you had known prior to your child coming out? Join us for this panel discussion as we hear four candid stories from mothers who navigate this journey with their gay and lesbian children. What worked? What didn't? How ca...

Jessyca Fulmer 's personal story was featured as a video on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ' MormonAndGay website. What Jessyca's video didn't show was her personal struggle for survival. After nearly ONE MILLION views she pulled the plug and asked for it to be removed. In this episode we talk about that decision.   Happily, Jessyca reunited with a high school friend, Savana Fulme...

It's no secret that your grandpa is Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, but what happens when he finds out there's something you're keeping secret? Identifying as bisexual and polyamorous, coming home from his mission early, listening to conference talks written specifically about him, and honoring his happiness over tradition; Craig Call, the grandson of Elder Richard G....

Miles Hunsaker and Jim White sit down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share their individual stories of coming out, finding inner peace and thriving as a couple. Both Jim and Miles label themselves as "late-bloomers." They came out later in life: both were married to women, with children. They each held high callings in the LDS Church and both worked to reconcile their religious teachings w...

Shaunie Schow was a small-town Idaho woman who served as a Relief Society President and in the Stake Relief Society presidency. Jennifer Saunders was the complete opposite. Individually, they navigated their desires to love and be loved. They both worked to do good in the world and to cultivate Christlike attributes. Together, they found the measure of their creation. This is story of hope, of lov...

"We were not only gay. We were not only married. But we were also attending Church—with our children, and the Church didn't know how to handle all of that. It took a couple of General Authorities to determine the fate of our family…and then November 2015 happened." Rob Schopke and David Staker sit down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share their journey. Each divorced from marriages married...

Tiana story is similar to many others in her shoes. She knew from a very early age that she was different. What did that difference mean? And how do you explain something that you can't define? Following the path laid for her, Tiana served a mission and it was in a discussion with her Mission President that she acknowledged what that "difference" was. This episode is the story of her journey after...

He was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in a turn of events Bernie was excommunicated. His excommunication didn't come because he is gay—that would come later—but because he joined a fundamentalist polygamous church. How does someone who knows he is gay, decide to enter into polygamy? Watch this episode to find out. The video version of this story is also available on...

For many it's a familiar story: active Latter-day Saint, hiding the feelings of same-sex attraction, and doing the things society requires of you to remain "normal". But what happens when you can no longer do it all? Laura Root shares her story of hope, love, pain and progress. Hers is a story of finding a path that is her own and at the same time staying close to her faith and her personal revela...

So, you've heard of the 4 OPTION SURVEY, but do you know what it is? We've got you covered! Tyler is an assistant professor of psychology at Rhodes College studying LGBTQ topics specific to Mormonism, his research aims to understand the mental health implications of gender, sexuality, faith, and their various intersections. As a self-identified queer Mormon, he is passionate about creating space f...

A convert to the Church from Alabama, Keindrick did everything exactly "Mormon". While serving a mission to New York he also identified his sexuality. This story is Keindrick's journey coming out, attending BYU, dealing with bigotry and finding joy in his journey. "The pain of living closeted was greater than the pain of coming out." Keindrick shares his advice to members and Church leaders, and g...

How many years does it take to realize that you're not as straight as the church wanted you to be? For Debi and Aimee, it took almost ten. Even after living together, working together and spending all their time together, it took nearly a decade for them to realize (and accept) that they were lesbian. "I knew what the Church teaches about people like us … it just is not true. I couldn't be happier...

Kyle Ashworth and Justin Utley join the Logan, Utah LIFEPLUS group to share their stories, some music and a few laughs. In this episode Justin sings songs from his newly released album, SCARS. Kyle discusses the topic of "belonging" and shares his personal story of coming out and thriving. Justin and Kyle open the discussion to an audience Q&A—and the inquiries from the audience are powerful! Pay...

Skyler Wixom, a BYU graduate and adjunct professor, shares his story of coming out and finding his path of authenticity and honesty. Skyler gives kind and sympathetic advice to Latter-Day Saints and Church leaders regarding his sexuality. He shares his story coming out for the first time to his mission president and the loving advice his mission president gave him. Skyler discusses where is at tod...

Sunny Smart is gay. Her family knows, her friends know, her husband knows, and she knows. In this podcast episode, Sunny shares her story of coming out, remaining in a mixed orientation marriage, a transition of faith, and how proceeding forward in authenticity has changed her life. She and Joe, share their experience navigating this journey together, as a family. And their decision to come out—an...

Millions and millions of people know Daniel Spencer from his hilarious Mormon themed memes, stand-up comedy and his role on Provo's Most Eligible (a straight dating show). However, few people knew the secret that Daniel was hiding. He is gay. Daniel recently came out to his fans and to the world. This is his story about what its like to be gay, closeted and a Latter-day Saint. Daniel talks about s...

Chris Richards sits down with Kyle Ashworth to share his Latter-Gay story.  In this episode Chris talks about the mission, growing up "different," getting married to a woman and navigating life in a mixed orientation marriage. He is honest. He is raw. He holds nothing back in this interview. We invite you to listen. Chris shares the story of how his wife introduced him to Grindr, leaving the LDS C...

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 cl...

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 b...

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 h...

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 l...

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...