What happens when two closeted lesbian Mormons marry men, have children, then cross paths and fall in love? Join John Dehlin and Carah Burrell as we meet Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne. Sal felt as though part of her died when she married a man in the LDS temple.
Lena takes us through the heartbreaking events that led to her to convert to Mormonism as a teenager from a divorced Catholic Italian family. She realized that raising children in the LDS Church made her feel like her time as a dedicated Mormon wife was running out.
Tune in to hear how these two amazing women overcame enormous hurdles to become the couple they are today!
Show Notes:
- Wipeout, Season 2 Episode 8, Sal and her former husband were the winners
- Sal and her husband’s band, Love You Long Time
- Sal’s Instagram for coaching LGBTQ people who are coming out
- Peace Out podcast hosted by Sal Osborne
- Lena’s holistic nutrition business
- Mormon Stories interview with Tyler Glenn
- Mormon Stories interview with Wayne and Alex Sermon
- Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber
- The Principles of Healthy Sexuality, with Natasha Helfer, on Mormon Stories
- Mormon Stories interview with Tom Phillips
- Letter for My Wife
- Jennifer Finlayson-Fife’s “Art of Desire” workshops
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- Testimonies and Spiritual Experiences Across Religions – Emotions are Not Reliable to Discern Truth
Part 1:
Part 2:
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I cried through this whole episode and I can relate to so many part of your story. Thanks Lena and Sal.
Donating today (after several years lapse…sorry) as a thank you for highlighting a story like this. Mormon lesbians just don’t get enough air time!
I was in a very similar situation. I am about 5-10 years removed from it and related to much of their experience.
I have a say, I was a little bugged by several repetitive questions from John and Cara toward the end of Part 2 (but what about the children?) I get playing devil’s advocate, but the ladies answered the question the first time.
Remarkable episodes. Such impressive people. The Church is losing its best and brightest.
Is it losing the best and brightest or more of shedding the dead weight?
Enjoyed this episode very much. Beautiful love story. I’ve been out of the church for many years and am always bewildered as to why a lot of people who leave begin to swear so much?
One thing I hear a lot but don’t know if we ever discuss on Mormon Stories in general (approx 2:20 of E1 here) is how most missionaries and members try bringing people in and truly believe in the church, but have no clue about the history of the church. I was a TBM that served a mission, while I heard things, I was told to fear anti-Mormon influence and materials because they are “lies.” I never questioned the JS story because I really believed it was true based on the information I had at that time….now 25 years later I see where I just did not know how to think critically for myself. I really think there are SO MANY TBM because they do not have or have not looked at the information out of fear. We are taught to fear education outside of the church because it is the “philosophies of men mingled with scripture.” We are taught satans plan was to take the choice from people, yet the church/members preach that we must follow the plan and not be educated and think or choose for ourselves. This is the biggest thing I struggle with especially now as an educated person who is no longer a member. Anyways, I love this story! Recently out myself, I can relate so much to Sal’s experiences!
Can you share the link to the video they referenced in part 2, the one they saw on YouTube with different people from different religions bearing their testimonies?