Latter Gay Stories

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

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 podcas

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

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 

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

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 women who had been rejected by their families. In time, Melinda, an active Latter-day Saint, began painting the portraits of the LGBTQ+ Mormon community. She wanted the world to see their beauty, their love, and their worth. After displaying her works of art in 5 cites across the United States, Melinda sits down with the Latter Gay Stories audience to share her story. She shares more about the portraits, what the project meant to her, and the lives that were influenced because of this Portraits of Courage project. www.MelindaHannah.com  

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 Galactic Shaman who has found success as a spiritual guide—exploring various exalted states of consciousness. If you are navigating outside of Mormonism and looking for new forms of spirituality, Colter's story will impact you. You can find Colter on Instagram @ColterWild #LatterGayStories #ColterWild #Mindfulness #PlantMedicine #Hypnotherapy

The LatterGayStories podcast has been following over a dozen same-gender couples that are facing excommunication (membership councils) from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their offense: being legally and lawfully married. In April of 2019, the Church publicly announced that same-sex couples would no longer be considered apostates and subjected to mandatory excommunication. Instead, the Church proclaimed that “immoral conduct in heterosexual and homosexual relationships will be treated the same way.” However, determined bishops and stake presidents have often used their personal bias and ignorance to continue the excommunications of gay members—despite church leaders stating that these excommunications are not happening. Join us for a special 7.5 HOUR LatterGayStories and Mormon Stories episode where we sit down with Brennan and Douglas. They are a married couple from Idaho who were just subjected to a membership council for being in a legal, monogamous marriage. And they provide an

In less than one year, five students at Brigham Young University have amassed a social media following of nearly 1,000,000 people. The group, calling themselves the Black Menaces, create videos online that have been liked and shared more than 25 million times and messages supported by celebrities and influencers around the globe. So, what are these BYU college students doing to create such a buzz? Using a cell phone camera and microphone, the BlackMenaces are exposing the candid reactions of BYU students through questions about race and social justice. It’s no surprise, given the nature of LDS/LGBTQ policies, that the most viral videos produced by the BlackMenaces are directly related to the LGBTQ community and the Mormon church's treatment of queer people. We’ve invited the Menaces into the studio to share their “revolution” with the LatterGayStories community. In this episode we dive deep into the BlackMenace story and learn more about the people behind the TikTok and Instagram videos. Why did they start th

For the Packer’s, love and connection brought them together—and it was honesty and authenticity that helped their love and connection flourish. In this fascinating story of love and transformation, Kay and Kris share their early dating experiences—and marriage as a lesbian couple. It was later in that marriage that Kris transitioned as a transgender male. As the couple loved, they learned—and as they learned, they lived. This is the third and final episode in the Packer series. Kay shared her individual story in episode 157. Kris shared his story in episode 158. These episodes and others are available in video form on the LatterGayStories Facebook and YouTube pages. All of our podcast episodes are ready to download now everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Love #Transgender #Growth #Mormonism #LGBTQMormon #UtahGay

Kris Packer has a long Mormon history. His father, Lynn is a Mormon historian, and Kris’ great-uncle is apostle Boyd K. Packer.   What happens when you come out to your family as a lesbian, but as life progresses, your journey through love and connection helps you to connect the dots and come to understand that you are also transgender?   Kris had great family support through his life and even through the learning, bumpy stages, found connection and love in even the least-likely spaces.   In this episode Kris discusses his family relationship, meeting his wife Kay, working in public education—and then gender transitioning as a school principal. How does his school and students react?   This episode is part of a three-part interview. Kris’s wife, Kay is episode 157 and the couple sits down together in episode 159.   #LatterGayStories #Transgender #PublicEducation #Married #MormonRoyalty   This episode is available now as a video on the LatterGayStories Facebook and YouTub

Kaylene Packer was a very normal Mormon girl. She went to church, she prayed, and she tried to hide an important part of her identity...she was really, really into girls. Growing up Latter-day Saint, you quickly learn that there isn’t a road map designed to help you thrive as a closeted lesbian girl. But Kay tried. Ultimately, her journey led her to embracing who she was, to coming out, to finding love in a relationship, and then—familiar to many Latter-day Saints: breaking off that relationship to give Mormonism another chance. Kay’s story is deep and full of twists—including marrying her wife, a niece of apostle, Boyd K. Packer. And then Kay's wife eventually coming out to her as a transgender man. Together, Kay and Kris navigated a new dynamic in their marriage. Join us for this special three-part interview series. The next three Latter Gay Stories episodes are Kay’s story, her spouse, Kris' story, and finally an interview together, as a couple. #LatterGayStories #Lesbian #GayMormon #FIndingLove #BreakingT

Ashley was born male into a Lutheran home in Texas. At a young age, Ashley knew she was different. Not having language for what that "difference” was, she navigated her journey the best she could. It was finally an Oprah episode featuring a transgender story that gave her the WORD that described how she felt. Well after puberty, high school, dating –and while in college, she finally felt the power to lean into her truth. Currently a stand-up comedian, and a casting director for reality television, Ashley Ryan sits down to share her story, how religion and education impacted her path, and what life looks like post-transition. #LatterGayStories #AshleyRyan #Transition #Transgender #Truth #Oprah

Kray was a remarkably normal Mormon. He knew he was gay, but did everything in his power to deny and hide it. If you bury it, it doesn’t exist, right? He gave everything to the church, served a full-time mission, and then enrolled at BYU. All this to bury what he was (a normal gay man). As he was leaving his mission, Kray’s mission president made him a promise: if you date and marry a woman, your SSA (same-sex attraction) will disappear. Kray believed him. It was his experience at BYU Idaho that changed Kray’s life forever. His story involves a professor, a new friend, an affair, losing his education at the University, and reassembling the shattered pieces of a life that ‘once was’. Kray’s story is more familiar and relatable than most want to admit. It is raw and candid. Catch the video version NOW on the LatterGayStories You Tube channel. The audio version of this podcast is available everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Trying #BYU #HonorCode #ComingOut #Happiness  

In a surprising move, BYU-Provo administrators dismissed three transgender clients from the BYU Clinic on 2/7/2022, and informed their student/faculty clinicians that transgender patients needed to be transferred to providers OUTSIDE of BYU. The patients were being seen at the on-campus BYU Speech and Language Clinic for speech therapy. BYU administrators informed the clinic and faculty that service to transgender patients is a violation of the LDS Church Policy (as found in the LDS Handbook) and is contrary to BYU principles.  In this live stream discussion, we are joined by R.J. Risueno, Lisa Hansen, and Wendy Chase. All three guests are clinicians who serve this population. We also discuss in more depth, revelations about what happened behind the scenes, who made the decisions and what does this mean for BYU’s desire to create bridges to the LGBTQ community through its Office of Belonging. #LatterGayStories #Transgender #HIPPA #HealthCareForLGBTQ #Discrimination  

From an early age, Duane felt drawn to better understanding life from two perspectives: science and spirituality. His desire for knowledge and the human understanding led him to better understand empathy and opportunity. Shortly after returning home from his Mormon mission to South Africa, Duane realized that his life was best lived in authenticity and honesty. The author of Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones shares his personal story and how embracing his identity made all the difference. This episode is also available as an audio podcast available everywhere you catch your favorite podcasts. #LatterGayStories #Spirituality #Science #ComingOut

Page knew she was different, but Mormonism has a way of convincing you to keep those “different” feelings buried deep inside. Those feelings and natural connections can only stay hidden for so long—and eventually they blossom. After coming out later in life, Page Petrucka shares her journey of finding happiness, understanding her divine worth, harnessing the power of good friends, and thriving in affirmative spaces. She shares her experience coming out to her family, no longer fearing her sexuality, and learning first-hand that happiness does exist where religion told her it didn’t. Enjoy this and many other episodes online at LatterGayStories.org and on our YouTube channel. An audio version of this episode is available everywhere you catch your favorite podcast episodes. #LatterGayStories #LesbianMormon #GayMormon

They're back! Cole Rasmussen (episode 145) and Kent Carollo (episode 142) sit down together—as a couple to share their story of dating, connection, and engagement.    Where do gay Latter-day Saints learn to date? Where do they learn how to navigate the world of feelings, connection, and the very real desire to be loved?   In this episode Kent and Cole describe their experience coming out, accepting and honoring their divine creation, and finding each other in the process.   This is candid and real-life love story.   VIDEO VERSION ALERT...**Be sure to stick around for the end, there might be a really cute wedding video ;) **   The video version of this episode is also available on our Latter Gay Stories YouTube Channel and our LatterGayStories Facebook page.   #LatterGayStories #GayLoveStory  

There isn’t a manual or Sunday school lesson that teaches us how to prepare for our child’s coming out experience. For parents (especially Mormon ones,) you often feel wholly unprepared for the news. For many Latter-day Saints, we aren’t trying to understand this topic because we are convinced it isn’t relevant to us—because something like this doesn’t happen to families like ours. Right? In this powerfully candid and honest episode, Glen and Sandee Traasdahl share their mistakes, their successes, and the beautiful experiences they’ve learned as they navigate their son’s coming out experience. ** This episode is a must watch for all parents. ** The Traasdahls discuss: Their son’s coming out experience. Visiting with their bishop and stake leaders. Navigating their own faith and understanding. Wading through feelings of loneliness and fear. Searching for helpful resources. Suicidal ideation and depression. Love and acceptance. Joy. #LatterGayStories #Learning #ParentsofGayKids #LGBTQ

In this special outdoor episode, we sit down with James Kent in the beautiful Iao Valley on the island of Maui, Hawaii. James shares a stunning history of Hawai'i including the native Hawai'ian’s respect to the topics of sexual orientation (aikāne) and gender identity (māhū). James also shares a tender story of his own journey. His is a message of coming out, marrying a woman, joining Affirmation, watching his friends succumb to the AIDS epidemic, and how he has found aloha in his journey. Aloha ia O'Koa Pa'ulo #LatterGayStories #Aloha #Hawaii #Mormon #Aikane #Mahu