Homosexuality

418: Conversions: Two Family Stories from the Reformation and Modern America with Craig Harline

May 15, 2013

By Heather Olson Beal

conversions

As the 8th feature of our Mormon Stories Book Club series, we feature Craig Harline and his book Conversions: Two Family Stories from the Reformation and Modern America, accompanied by podcast host Heather Olson Beal and readers Kimberly Brinkerhoff, Hannah Pritchett, Daniel Rawson, and Natasha Helfer Parker. Please support Mormon Stories by purchasing Conversions: Two Family Stories from the Reformation and Modern America, through this link. A small amount of the proceeds go to help support Mormon Stories. Craig Harline, a native of California, is a cultural historian and a professor of history at BYU. He teaches courses on the…

412-414: Josh and Lolly Weed on Their Love Story, Mixed-Orientation Marriages, and LDS/LGBT Issues

April 3, 2013

Weeds

In this three part interview with Josh and Lolly Weed we discuss: Part 1: How they fell in love and decided to marry, in spite of both knowing that Josh is gay Part 2: The complexities and risks of living in a mixed-orientation marriage, and Part 3: LGBT issues within the LDS church

408-411: Brett Bradshaw – Gay Marriage and Fatherhood

March 26, 2013

408-411: Brett Bradshaw – Gay Marriage and Fatherhood

On this historic day when the United States Supreme Court is considering the legality of gay marriage, we share with you our interview with Brett Bradshaw. Brett is the son of longtime Mormon LGBT advocates Marge and William Bradshaw. In this four-part interview Brett discusses: Part 1: His early LDS years, his mission service, falling in love with his husband (Jeff), and his decision to leave the LDS church. Part 2: His process of coming out as a gay man, and his thoughts on exploring sexuality in healthy ways Part 3: His decision to marry Jeff, have a child (Madeline)…

392-395: Ralph Hancock – Critic of Mormon Liberalism

January 5, 2013

rch

Dr. Ralph C. Hancock is a professor of political science at Brigham Young University. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. from BYU and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and teaches classes on American and French political history as well as the history of political thought. He is currently serving as president of the John Adams Center for the Study of Faith, Philosophy and Public Affairs at BYU, and within Mormonism is perhaps best known as a critic of Mormon liberalism and feminism. You can read Dr. Hancock’s writings here, and responses to some of his writings here, here, here and…

389-391: Top 10 Mormon Mental Health Issues

December 21, 2012

Natasha

In this 3-part interview with Natasha Helfer Parker we launch a new podcast initiative called “Mormon Mental Health.” For this episode we discuss the top 10 (or 11) mental health issues commonly faced by Mormons. Episode 1: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and Masturbation Episode 2: Pornography, Addiction, Marriage and Divorce Episode 3: Sexual Intimacy, Parenting, Faith Crisis and Coping with same-sex attraction as a Mormon.

388: Carol Lynn Pearson and “the Hero’s Journey of the Gay and Lesbian Mormon”

December 11, 2012

HerosJourneyCLP

As part of a new podcast initiative called “Gay Mormon Stories” (in cooperation with Mormon Stories Book Club) we interview the beloved poet, playwright, LGBT activist and Mormon author Carol Lynn Pearson about her new book entitled, “The Hero’s Journey of the Gay and Lesbian Mormon” (click here for the Kindle version, and here for the print version). From Carol Lynn: I am so happy to introduce the fourth (and probably final) of my works that focuses on the needs of our gay brothers and sisters. We live in a wonderful day. Science has shown that a homosexual orientation is…

374-375: Eldon Kartchner Pts. 3 & 4: Losing Heather to Cancer, Grief, and its Impact on Faith

September 18, 2012

Eldon2

In parts 3 and 4 of a 4-part series, Eldon Kartchner discusses: 1) losing his wife, Heather, to cancer, 2) his grieving process, and 3) the impact her death has had on his religious faith. In part 4, Eldon is joined by several family members to discuss their reactions to Heather’s death as well. Part 3 Part 4

372-373: Eldon Kartchner Pts. 1 & 2 – Living a Successful Mixed-Orientation Marriage, and Not Recommending It

September 16, 2012

Eldon3

In parts 1 and 2 of a 4-part series, Eldon Kartchner discusses: losing his battle against same-sex attraction as a Mormon, and his experience living a successful mixed-orientation marriage as a gay Mormon. He also discusses his feelings about the Josh and Lolly Weed story. Part 1 Part 2

363-364: Bishop Bill Reel on Being a Mormon Bishop, a Critique of Mormon Stories, and Resolving Faith Struggles

July 19, 2012

BillReel

Bill Reel is currently serving as Bishop of the Sandusky ward of the Cleveland Ohio Stake. In this interview we begin by discussing Bishop Reel’s conversion to the church AFTER reading Fawn Brodie’s “No Man Knows my History”, and his avid pursuit of Mormon apologetics after his baptism. We also discuss in depth his calling as bishop – including his job to counsel youth and women on sexual matters, masturbation, and homosexuality. Since Bishop Reel is a listener of the podcast, we discuss his perception and frustration of an increasing trend towards negativity on Mormon Stories. We also discuss the…

350-352: Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer

May 30, 2012

Benji-tiff

Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following: Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience, Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, and Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his LDS faith.

337: Utah Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis

April 23, 2012

jimd

The grandson of Greek immigrants, Jim Dabakis moved to Utah when he was 17 to attend school at Brigham Young University. After college, Jim worked for 13 years as a Radio and TV talk-show host. He became known as the “Voice of Utah Democrats” as he defended the Party’s values against the continual onslaught of the Ronald Reagan-era Republicans. Jim also began his own company in the art dealership world, and has worked primarily with Russia for the past 20 years. During that time he also founded the Jim Dabakis Educational Foundation which has helped bright students from all over…

333-336: 2011 Circling the Wagons Conference

April 22, 2012

ConferenceImage

The goal of the 2011 Mormon Stories "Circling the Wagons" conference was to create a space where LGBTQ or SSA individuals and their families and allies could gather to acknowledge, explore and honor shared experiences.

328: Three Powerful Stories about Having Difficult Mormon Conversations with Family

March 21, 2012

409405_10101017903021215_23442531_63118797_796500824_n

Three Powerful Stories about Having Difficult Mormon Conversations with Family.

299: LDS Bishop Kevin Kloosterman’s Talk on Homosexuals in the LDS Church

November 7, 2011

Kloosterman

While we understand that nuance and context are sometimes difficult to capture in news articles, we are worried that some of the framing in this SL Tribune article (especially the headline) might give the wrong impression about LDS Bishop Kevin Kloosterman’s talk on homosexuals in the LDS Church, which was given on 11/6/2011 during the Mormon Stories “Circling the Wagons” conference in Salt Lake City, UT in support of our LDS LGBT brothers and sisters. Consequently, the full audio and transcript of Kevin’s talk have been included below, to give people the chance to read/hear what Kevin was trying to communicate. In…

285-287: D. Michael Quinn – 21st Century Mormon Enigma

September 17, 2011

quinn

On August 12th, 2011 Mormon Stories held an event in honor and celebration of Mormon Historian D. Michael Quinn. Michael Quinn is undoubtedly one of the most important historical figures in 20th and 21st century Mormonism. Michael Quinn has a Ph.D. in history from Yale University and worked as an LDS church historian (under Davis Bitton and Leonard Arrington) and as a BYU history professor for many years. Several of his books, including The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, and Early Mormonism and the Magical World View have literally changed the face of Mormon…

266: “Coming Out” as Gay to Mormon Parents

August 1, 2011

266: “Coming Out” as Gay to Mormon Parents

Natasha Helfer Parker interviews J. Seth Anderson and his parents about what it was like for their family when Seth told them he was homosexual. Seth is a community activist and self proclaimed local historian in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Provo, UT, he grew up in Utah, California and Arizona. He plays piano, is a seminary graduate and served a mission in Samara, Russia. His day job is in ocean transportation and logistics, but the rest of his time is devoted to building community. He is currently working on a book about downtown Phoenix that will be released in November, he…

264-265: BYU Professor and LDS Church Employee Kendall Wilcox Comes out as Gay

July 8, 2011

264-265: BYU Professor and LDS Church Employee Kendall Wilcox Comes out as Gay

Kendall Wilcox is a lifelong member of the LDS church, returned missionary, BYU graduate, filmmaker, BYU professor, producer for BYUTV…..and he is (now) an openly gay man AND an LDS church employee. This is his story, and below are the links to his 2 new initiatives: 1) Empathy First (a non-profit dedicated to promoting empathy), and 2) his documentary entitled “Far Between.” Empathy First Initiative: http://www.empathyfirstinitiative.org/ Far Between Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/farbetweenmovie Jon Hastings’ blog: http://listentowhoiam.blogspot.com/ Joseph Broom’s blog: http://invictuspilgrim.blogspot.com/

209-213: Dr. William Bradshaw: A Life of Science, Service, and Compassion.

November 5, 2010

209-213: Dr. William Bradshaw: A Life of Science, Service, and Compassion.

In this episode, John Dehlin interviews one of his former professors and mentors, Dr. William Bradshaw, on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Bradshaw has just recently retired from a rich and fulfilling career as a molecular biology professor at BYU in which he influenced thousands of students to continually be open to the best thinking of the sciences while still nurturing a robust, mature faith and spiritual life. Many report Dr. Bradshaw’s classes and their various interactions with him as pivotal to their finding a way to value the wisdom generated in both their heads and their hearts. In…

200-202: One Gay Married Mormon Man’s Attempt at Reparative (Conversion) Therapy

October 9, 2010

By Natasha Helfer Parker

200-202: One Gay Married Mormon Man’s Attempt at Reparative (Conversion) Therapy

In this 3-part series Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT (The Mormon Therapist & MormonMatters.org), interviews one of her earliest clients: a married, Mormon homosexual man, coming out to his wife. Names have been withheld to protect anonymity to the family. Note: The purpose of this interview is not to encourage people to stay or leave the church, to stay or leave a marriage, nor to participate or not participate in reparative therapy. These are all delicate personal decisions and different circumstances will necessitate different solutions. The purpose of this interview is to share a story. It is also meant to increase…

191: BYU Professor Bill Bradshaw on a Biological Origin of Homosexuality

September 24, 2010

191: BYU Professor Bill Bradshaw on a Biological Origin of Homosexuality

Yesterday (9/23/2010) Dr. William Bradshaw of BYU’s Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology delivered a lecture entitled “The Evidence For A Biological Origin For Homosexuality” at Brigham Young University. The audio can be accessed below, or on the Mormon Stories podcast feed. The visuals can be accessed here. Dr. Bradshaw is a former mission president, former member of a stake presidency, has written about the biology of homosexuality elsewhere, and was covered by BYU’s Daily Universe here. He is also the host on a short video entitled, “Embracing our Homosexual Children.” We will soon be releasing a full Mormon Stories…

188-190: The LDS Church, Proposition 8, Cary Crall, BYU, the Daily Universe and Censorship

September 22, 2010

188-190: The LDS Church, Proposition 8, Cary Crall, BYU, the Daily Universe and Censorship

In this live-streamed interview, we had a few special guests… Cary Crall — The BYU student who wrote this letter to BYU’s Daily Universe which was later pulled from the web site, with this explanation. You can read more about Cary’s story here. Morris Thurston — Harvard law graduate, and author of, “A Commentary on the Document, “Six Consequences…if Proposition 8 Fails“. Laura Compton, co-founder of Mormons for Marriage. We also hosted a live, simultaneous Internet-based chat (which you can watch while listening to the entire interview below). Thanks to all of you who tuned in!

173-177: Carol Lynn Pearson – Mormon Author, Poet, Playwright, Feminist, and Philosopher

August 15, 2010

173-177: Carol Lynn Pearson – Mormon Author, Poet, Playwright, Feminist, and Philosopher

Carol Lynn Pearson is one of the most beloved and successul Mormon authors, poets, and playwrights of all time. A comprehensive listing of her creative works can be found here. Her book “Goodbye, I Love You,” about the death of her gay husband from AIDS, took the world by storm in 1986, landing her on Oprah, Phil Donahue, and many other T.V. programs. Her musical “My Turn on Earth” is one of the most beloved and successful Mormon musicals of all time. Carol Lynn has spent virtually all of her years since “Goodbye, I Love You” as an advocate for…

170-172: Philanthropist and WordPerfect Co-Founder Bruce Bastian

July 28, 2010

170-172: Philanthropist and WordPerfect Co-Founder Bruce Bastian

In this 3-part series we interview Philanthropist, WordPerfect co-founder, and prominent LGBT rights supporter Bruce W. Bastian. Bastian is a generous supporter of the performing arts, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign in Washington D.C. Part 1: Growing up Mormon, and the WordPerfect years Part 2: Coming out as a Gay Mormon Father Part 3: The Case for Supporting Gay Rights

168-169: Mormon Therapist Natasha Parker on LDS Sexuality, Depression, Faith & Marriage

July 15, 2010

168-169: Mormon Therapist Natasha Parker on LDS Sexuality, Depression, Faith & Marriage

In this 2-part series, we interview Natasha Parker — an LDS Marriage and Family Therapist who lives in Kansas. Natasha blogs at both Mormon Matters and on her own blog regarding her experiences and thoughts as a therapist specializing in the treatment of Mormons. During this interview, we discuss Natasha’s background, along with brief coverage of the following issues: LDS sexuality, homosexuality, depression, faith issues, and marriage issues.

122: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 4 – Rebuilding a Life Without the LDS Church

February 10, 2010

122: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 4 – Rebuilding a Life Without the LDS Church

In this episode Peter and Mary Danzig discuss life after resigning from the LDS Church, including how they are raising their children as former members, reworking their relationships with extended family, and their new life/spiritual perspectives. They also discuss their recent work the Foundation for Reconciliation, which seeks reconciliation between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Gays and Lesbians The music from this episode was played live during the interview. For more about the Danzig’s music, check out their web site here.

121: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 3 – Removed from the Orchestra at Temple Square, Silenced, Threatened with Discipline, Resigning from the LDS Church

February 10, 2010

121: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 3 – Removed from the Orchestra at Temple Square, Silenced, Threatened with Discipline, Resigning from the LDS Church

In this episode Peter and Mary Danzig discuss Peter’s removal from the Orchestra at Temple Square because of his letter to the editor opposing professor Jeffrey Nielson’s termination from BYU (over Dr. Nielson’s public support of gay marriage). They also discuss his local church leadership’s request for silence, the threats of church discipline, his and Mary’s ultimate decision to resign from the LDS Church, and Craig Jessop’s resignation as Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The music from this episode was played live during the interview. For more about the Danzig’s music, check out their web site here.

120: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 2 – Gaining Sympathy for Homosexuals, Losing His Testimony, and Writing a Letter to the Editor

February 9, 2010

120: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 2 – Gaining Sympathy for Homosexuals, Losing His Testimony, and Writing a Letter to the Editor

In this episode Peter Danzig discusses how his experience as a social worker to (primarily) LDS Church members led to an increase in sympathy for LDS homosexuals, a loss of his traditional LDS testimony, and his decision to write a letter to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune to protest the action taken against former BYU Professor Jeffrey Nielson, and the LDS Church’s urging of members to support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The music from this episode was played live during the interview. For more about the Danzig’s music, check out their web site here.

119: Peter and Mary Danzig Pt. 1 – The Early Years

February 5, 2010

Danzigs

In this episode John Dehlin speaks with former LDS Church members Peter and Mary Danzig about their early years as faithful LDS church members, their mission experiences, their marriage, their joining as founding members of the Orchestra at Temple Square, and the origins of their interest in the topic of homosexuality. The music from this episode was played live during the interview. For more about the Danzig’s music, check out their web site here.

085-087: God Loveth His Children — The New LDS Pamphlet on Homosexuality

November 11, 2007

A new pamphlet about homosexuality appeared on the church’s website in late July, 2007. The pamphlet is entitled God Loveth His Children, and, among other things, says that the Church does not know what causes same-sex attractions but does not believe sexual abuse and sexual experimentation in childhood are responsible. It declares that same-sex attractions are not considered sinful but affirms that acting on those attractions is incompatible with God’s plan for families in the afterlife. It urges same-sex attracted LDS members to remain active in the church and asks other members to treat them with love and respect. This…

068: Spirituality of the Rising LDS Generation Pt. 1 — “Flexibility”: An interview with John Kovalenko

September 28, 2007

In part one of our series on the Spirituality of the rising LDS generation, we interview John Kovalenko — BYU student, musician, and church believer. John also discusses same sex attraction as a young, believing Mormon and BYU student.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 »