About this episode
Parallel to the LDS Church’s shifting position regarding homosexuality, there have been new crops of faithful gay public figures who are held up by the church as role models on how to be a faithful gay member of the church. As the LDS Church has softened its stances and opened the window for “righteous celibacy,” gay public figures in mixed-orientation marriages have lost popularity and a more nuanced breed of celibate role models has emerged E.g. Charlie Bird and Ben Schilatty. In this episode we discuss how these public figures enable the perpetuation of harmful church rhetoric and spiritual trauma towards the LGBTQ community, and explore some possible solutions that could help ignite positive change in the church. Show notes: Mormon Stories' interview with Gerardo Sumano Mormon Stories' interview with Kyle Ashworth Tyler's review of “Without the Mask” “Without the Mask: Coming Out and into God’s Light” by Charlie Bird "Coming Out Mormon: An Examination of Religious Orientation, Spiritual Trauma, and PTSD Among Mormon and Ex-Mormon LGBTQQA Adults" by Brian William Simmons "Navigating Sexual and Religious Identity Conflict: A Mormon Perspective" by John Dehlin “Believer” - HBO documentary "Psychosocial Correlates of Religious Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction: A Mormon Perspective" by John Dehlin "Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Identity Conflict, and Psychosocial Health Amongst Same-Sex Attracted Mormons" By John Dehlin “Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism” by Taylor G. Petrey “Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences” by Gregory Prince "The Aftermath of Prop 22" by Alan Hansen and Nadine R. Hansen (Sunstone Magazine; January 2001) Netflix documentary “Pray Away” Voices of Hope Court testimony about nude cuddling and abusive practices during conversion therapy “A Walk in My Shoes: Questions I'm Often Asked as a Gay Latter-day Saint” by Ben Schilaty Questions From the Closet podcast , hosted by Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty "A Chronology of LGBTQ+ Messaging" Latter Gay Stories podcast, hosted by Kyle Ashworth Mormon Stories' interview with Matt Easton "Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Among Current or Former LDS Church Members" by John Dehlin ————— We are 100% donor funded! Please click HERE to donate and keep this content coming! Click here to donate monthly: $10 $25 $50 ————— MSP on Spotify MSP on Apple Podcasts MSP Blog Instagram Patreon TikTok Discord Contact Us! * MormonStories@gmail.com *PO Box 171085 Salt Lake City, UT 84117