Latter Gay Stories

On Mother’s Day, Cher’s son came out to her. From that day forward she fought to protect him and the community he belongs to. In this episode Cher discusses her journey as an LGBT ally and friend to the LDS/LGBT community. She shares the hard parts about religion, society and the traditional views of sexuality. Cher offers advice to parents of LGBT children and what her path looked like during those crucial “coming out” experiences. https://youtu.be/cyCKcECOYFU

Dr. Gregory Prince sits down with Latter Gay Stories for a unique one-on-one discussion about the actions and unintended consequences of the LDS Church's history with LGBT people and their allies. In this episode we thoroughly discuss topics including: - Why the LDS Church has doubled down against homosexuality. - Is there a genetic component (born this way) to homosexuality? - Policy vs. Doctrine: does LDS doctrine change? - What was the impact of the November 2015 Policy on Mormonism? - What does modern day scripture say about homosexuality? - Q and A session from Latter Gay Stories listeners - and so much more! Kyle Ashworth and Greg Prince take a deep dive into LDS tradition, history, and the messaging behind a topic that could be the most polarizing subject in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. PURCHASE Greg's book: Gay Rights and the Mormon Church HERE: https://tinyurl.com/y6spyuuh Dr. Gregory Prince is an historian, author, and researcher who earned his graduate degree in p

So often the we hear stories about the first four letters of the L-G-B-T community, but rarely do we have the opportunity to hear stories from those who identify with the other letters, like A as in asexual. What is asexuality? Who identifies as asexual? What does asexuality look like? In this episode we sit down with Chad and Matt to discuss their sexuality and their reality. Their interview is genuine, wholesome and rich in continual nuggets of shared wisdom and experience. Join the online conversation on our Facebook page: Latter Gay Stories 

Deb Asper is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in LGBT therapy and more particularly, LGBT trauma. And to say that she’s a gem—and an asset to the community is an understatement. Her dedication to seeing that the LGBT community thrives is evident in her actions. She loves you.  She wants to see you succeed, she’s in your corner. In this episode Deb cuts through a lot of life's rhetoric to help you begin healing from the difficulties of your situations. She is an expert in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) therapy used for mitigating trauma. Deb’s words and tools can help you overcome feelings of shame, doubt, public harassment and other situations that prevent progress.

103 | The Latter Gay Stories Podcast rebroadcasts An Evening With Affirmation, featuring speakers Nathan Kitchen and Laurie Lee Hall. Nathan Kitchen is the current President of Affirmation and Laurie Lee Hall serves as the Senior Vice President of Affirmation. In this episode, Nathan Kitchen and Laurie Lee Hall discuss their vision for Affirmation and their hope for the future of LGBT people. Laurie Lee Hall, the former Chief Architect for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a modern day miracle. The spaces she created for the LDS church include the newly constructed Provo, Utah MTC, the historic Tabernacle at Temple Square, many chapels, exquisite temples, local meeting houses and even the famed Provo City Center Temple. Listen as Laurie tells her story of building sacred spaces, while building authenticity within herself.

102: Greg Barnett | The vital role of love, inclusion and understanding the journey each of us navigate. Greg Barnett sits down with the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share his experience navigating life as a gay man—in and out of the LDS Church. Greg was asked to give an LGBT themed talk in a sacrament meeting. He shares that talk in this episode, what he’s learned along the way and what each of us can do to make the intersection of LDS Street and LGBTQ Avenue a friendlier place. Oh, and there are a few tears in this episode. You’ve been warned.

Jody Hansen is a suicide prevention educator sharing the QPR program to wards, stakes, and community groups throughout the state of Utah and beyond.  In this episode, the Latter Gay Stories Podcast sits down with Jody to discuss ways to better educate against suicide and what we can do to help prevent this epidemic from further reaching into our families. Additionally, in this episode we discuss the LDS Church’s rescission of their controversial November 2015 Policy of Exclusion and the devastating impact it made to the LGBTQ community within Mormonism. To reach out to Jody regarding a QPR training or to learn more about her training opportunities email her: Hansen_home@comcast.net

“All of you think I am weird, and I don’t even know why. I don’t even know why I feel this way, or why this is uncomfortable for me.” - Tyler Armstrong At age three, Tyler knew he was different.  His family knew he was different.  Fourteen years later, Tyler and his dad sit down with Latter Gay Stories to share their journey as a trans family. Tyler talks about bathrooms, boys, church dresses, therapy, coming out, and bishop’s interviews. Drew opens up about his experiences advocating for the LGBT community even before his then daughter—now son transitioned.  He shares the difficult parts of religion and what we can do to better understand this topic. Tyler and Drew invite you to ask questions and create a conversation below!  Together, they want to open a dialogue to better help each of us understand transgender topics.

What happens when you hear the words, “mom and dad, I’m gay”? How do you react, what do you say, and what does the path forward look like? Aaron and Marie Jones, the parents of a lesbian daughter share a raw and candid discussion detailing their personal journey through sexuality and religion. He’s a former bishop, she’s an educator and wife in a rural, conservative, Utah community--factors that make any coming out experience difficult, at best. In this episode the Jones’ discuss the progress they have made as they work to better understand the LGBT community, their own 'coming out' experience, and what Aaron and Marie want the LDS community to know about the power of loving people, unconditionally.

Kyle and Reece Jacobson join the Latter Gay Stories podcast to share their journey and story!  The married couple share their experiences as growing up closeted, serving missions, exploring their sexuality, and coming out.  Kyle discusses his experience with the Journey Into Manhood (JIM) reparative therapy program, he gives advice to young men and church leaders, what authenticity feels like and how he’s found happiness. Reece shares stories about his mission, trying to find his place in life as a closeted teen, Prop 8—and swiping right on Tinder—an experience that would change his life forever.  The Jacobsen’s are married, they are the happy dads of a cute dog, and their life is likely as normal as yours.  Catch the video version on the LatterGayStories website, Facebook page or YouTube channel for bonus video material!  We add the video they made to recreate their first date and their eventual engagement!

From time to time, I like to produce a quick 10 minute or so podcast that shares a few thoughts I have had during the week, or a lesson I picked up as I have interviewed guests who are featured on this podcast.  The QuickCast is a great way to reflect on a message—even during a busy day or night.  On this episode I reflect on a flight I took with my young son, 7 years ago.  We both love to fly around in little airplanes.  And on this flight we wanted to watch the sunset on Split Mountain, a rock face at Dinosaur National Monument in eastern Utah.   As I reflected on this seven-year old memory, I started thinking about how much perspectives change our lives.   Enjoy! 

In this touching and inspiring episode of Latter Gay Stories, Kelsey Jones and Mekael Simmons share their journey as lesbian women. Both were married to men, came out to their husbands and followed their intuition forward into a path of authenticity and honesty. Now partnered, they share their candid story, their love, and their advice to others who are in a place similar to where they began.

In January of 2018, Paul Augenstein, bishop of a Riverton Utah LDS ward, and his wife, Susie opened their chapel doors one Sunday to welcome a message of hope, inclusion and love. Their 5th Sunday LGBT Conference set into motion a movement that has created better understanding and love between the LDS and LGBT communities. In this podcast episode we discuss what compelled the Augensteins to reach into the LGBT community, their call to meet with LDS Church leaders in Salt Lake City, what the Augensteins are continuing to do within the LGBT community, and ideas to help you create a program similar to what they have created.

Welcome to season 8 of the Latter Gay Stories podcast, formerly the Gay Mormon Stories podcast!  In this episode we welcome our new host, Kyle Ashworth and get a glimpse into his personal life, what to expect in season 8 of the podcast, and more!