The Jimmy Rex Show #329 - Justin Utley - Professional Musician Shares His Experience Of Conversion Therapy As A Gay Man
Feb 23, 2022
01:10:47
Guest Bio:
Born and raised in Utah, Justin Utley’s music career took off when he was made a featured performer at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ceremonies in Salt Lake City. After breaking ties with his Mormon roots, Justin became a sought-after talent, spending much of his career touring as a performer at Pride Festivals worldwide. He’s shared the stage with top international acts like Dan Reynolds, Icona Pop, Tegan & Sara, Billy Porter, and Margaret Cho.
In June 2010, Utley released “Stand for Something,” a single written to inspire and motivate action towards securing LGBT marriage equality in the United States. The single was nominated by the LGBT Academy Of Recording Arts for 4 OutMusic Awards, including Best Songwriter and Artist of the Year, winning Best Country/Folk Song of the Year. Utley is an outspoken advocate against the use of conversion (ex-gay) therapy, a method Utley experienced for two years. Now a powerful speaker at colleges and universities, Utley provides insight on issues of faith and the LGBT community. He has served as a guest contributor on CNN’s ‘Faces of Faith’ Sunday news segment, NPR, SiriusXM’s OutQ and MSNBC. He is a two-time recipient of the FBI’s “Inspiring Citizen of the Year” award, and “Artist of the Year” by SiriusXM Radio.
Born and raised in Utah, Justin Utley’s music career took off when he was made a featured performer at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ceremonies in Salt Lake City. After breaking ties with his Mormon roots, Justin became a sought-after talent, spending much of his career touring as a performer at Pride Festivals worldwide. He’s shared the stage with top international acts like Dan Reynolds, Icona Pop, Tegan & Sara, Billy Porter, and Margaret Cho.
In June 2010, Utley released “Stand for Something,” a single written to inspire and motivate action towards securing LGBT marriage equality in the United States. The single was nominated by the LGBT Academy Of Recording Arts for 4 OutMusic Awards, including Best Songwriter and Artist of the Year, winning Best Country/Folk Song of the Year. Utley is an outspoken advocate against the use of conversion (ex-gay) therapy, a method Utley experienced for two years. Now a powerful speaker at colleges and universities, Utley provides insight on issues of faith and the LGBT community. He has served as a guest contributor on CNN’s ‘Faces of Faith’ Sunday news segment, NPR, SiriusXM’s OutQ and MSNBC. He is a two-time recipient of the FBI’s “Inspiring Citizen of the Year” award, and “Artist of the Year” by SiriusXM Radio.