1343: Karen Adam - From Scottish Mormon Mother to Political Activist

Karen Adam was raised in a same-sex household in Scotland (her mother identified as Lesbian). She joined the Mormon church at age 17 in 1992 after a teenage pregnancy. Karen lived as a member of the LDS Church in Scotland for almost 20 years - maturing from a young teenage mother to serving as LDS Sunday School teacher, Young Women’s President, Compassionate Service Leader, Relief Society Teacher, Primary Presidency, etc. Karen was married and sealed for eternity in an LDS temple, and for years helped raise six children, living a very traditional LDS family life. When Karen’s marriage fell apart she found solace in serving the wider community in Scotland outside the confines of her Scottish Mormon ward. This led on to a political awakening, and ultimately to her leaving the LDS church, and running for political office in Scotland. Topics covered in this episode include: Converting to the LDS Church in Scotland, Teenage pregnancy. Being a devout Mormon in Scotland. Navigating an abusive marriage that included drug addiction. Navigating divorce and remarriage within the Mormon church in Scotland. Dealing with harmful messages and policies regarding female sexuality as a Mormon Scott, including damaging bishop interviews. Responding to the Mormon church's harmful LGBTQ policies as a Mormon Scott having been raised in a same-sex household. Experiencing a Mormon faith crisis in Scotland. Rebuilding life as a post-Mormon divorced Scottish mother. Throwing her hat into the political ring in mid-life as a Scottish ex-Mormon woman. This is Karen's story.