Your Are Currently Browsing: LGBT/SSA Stories

MATT

 

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(The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of the producers of Far Between but are reflective of some aspects of what it means to be homosexual and Mormon today.)

NATHAN C

 

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(The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of the producers of Far Between but are reflective of some aspects of what it means to be homosexual and Mormon today.)

DEREK

 

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(The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of the producers of Far Between but are reflective of some aspects of what it means to be homosexual and Mormon today.)

WILUM

  • In part one of his interview, Wilum, 60, describes himself as a punk rock, exhibitionist, gay Mormon. After serving a full-time mission, Wilum came out to his family then attended therapy to “become heterosexual.” Wilum was ultimately excommunicated, but he found comfort and acceptance in the world of exhibitionism and …

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AMBER

 

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(The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of the producers of Far Between but are reflective of some aspects of what it means to be homosexual and Mormon today.)

JOHN PATRICK

 

(The views expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of the producers of Far Between but are reflective of some aspects of what it means to be homosexual and Mormon today.)

LORI

  • Lori saw a bleak path in front of her until she was able to truly accept herself. When Lori first admitted to herself as a teen that she had homosexual feelings, she felt “dirty” and “damned” and even considered suicide. Denial became a self-preserving way of life until she was …

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ANDREW

  • Resistant to the belief that one must choose between being gay or being Mormon, Andrew has committed his life to honoring both his spiritual and sexual identity. Andrew and his husband now live in Provo, Utah and are active participants in their ward community. Andrew came to terms with his …

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MARCUS

  • Although Marcus grew up in the heart of “happy valley,” Utah, he was plagued by intense loneliness and self-hatred. It wasn’t until Marcus hit rock bottom that he was able to acknowledge a new way of being in the world–one that involved loving and being loved unconditionally. Marcus grew up …

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MICHAEL

  • Raised in a loving, devout Mormon family, Michael was determined to reconstruct his sexuality to fit the standards of his family and church communities. After nearly a decade of seeking cures for his attraction to men, Michael ultimately learned to trust the Divine within. Michael grew up in a traditional …

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LAUREN

  • Lauren grew up in an active LDS family, dated frequently, and had always envisioned herself marrying in the temple. It wasn’t until she fell in love with her best girlfriend–while attending BYU–that she realized she was gay. Lauren spent one year silently coming to terms with her sexuality and considering …

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MICHAEL B

  • After acting the part of a straight person for several years, Michael feels he is finally living life as a “more genuine person”. Growing up, Michael tried hard to reconcile his faith and sexuality. He tried to follow the crowd as much as possible, including serving a mission and dating …

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KAMRIN

  • Kamrin desperately wanted to be the person he thought he should be, but it only led to misery and despair until he accepted who he truly was. Growing up in a Mormon family, Kamrin had clear ideas of who he should be and who he wanted to be. So at 14, …

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CLINT

  • Clint knew he was “different” from a young age, but he didn’t accept that he was gay until after serving an LDS mission. As he tried to date women after his mission, things became difficult enough for Clint that he sought a therapist’s aid. During this time he accepted and …

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JAY

  • Jay’s early curiosity toward other boys made him realize that he was different. In second grade, he had a crush on his friend and wondered if other boys felt the same way about their friends. In middle school, he was more interested in the football team than the cheerleaders, but …

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BRIDEY

  • Bridey now believes she doesn’t have to choose between her faith and her sexuality, but it took years of self-hate, pain, and disappointment to understand who she was and what she wanted. When Bridey first realized that she was a lesbian, she immediately felt like a bad or evil person. …

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JEFFREY

  • After finding that he wasn’t happy being traditionally Mormon or living life without spirituality, Jeffrey found a middle ground in a healthy, committed marriage with another man. Early in his life Jeffrey realized he was gay, and he struggled with his testimony and where he would fit in with the …

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CHAD

  • Chad joined the church when he was 24 years old and fully aware of his homosexuality. Although he struggled to accept his sexuality growing up, he found joy in the gospel and a peace that had eluded him his entire life. Chad threw himself into his church callings and devoted …

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BENJAMIN

  • Benjamin grew up on a dairy farm in Idaho within a conservative Mormon family. Although he participated in the cultural milestones set out for young Mormon boys, Benjamin knew he was different from his peers. At 18, he decided not to serve an LDS mission and instead came out to …

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KURT

  • Kurt quickly learned, growing up in small-town Iowa, which traits and expressions were acceptable and which to keep in and put away.  He served a mission, went to college, and developed relationships with women (at their instigation) all while continually putting away the aspects of himself he could not accept. …

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BLAKE

  • Blake grew up in the LDS church and was taught that homosexuality was a sin. Still, he had known for a long time that he was attracted to men. Because of this disparity, Blake felt he had to distance himself from the church when he came out. When Blake began …

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JOSEPH

  • Joseph shares several defining moments in his life that have allowed him to accept his homosexuality. As a teenager, Joseph prepared himself to date women and eventually marry, but the associated feelings never came. He knew he was different than his friends, and he initially wanted to overcome these feelings. …

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BRAIDEN

  • A conversation in the garden was a major turning point in Braiden’s renewal of hope. When Braiden realized he was gay, he broke down at the thought of not passing the legacy and lessons he’d grown up with to children of his own.  Daily stresses came, too, including such feelings …

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CHRISTOPHER

  • Christopher appreciated and admired women, despite repulsion towards romantic or sexual intimacy with one, and figured eternal marriage would somehow work out after his mission. But when that time came and he couldn’t find the attraction or connection to a woman, he felt he was at an impasse. His anguish …

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