Episode 659: Don and Jenny Hong and Their Gay Son Isaac

My friends Don and Jenny Hong (married parents of 4) and their gay son Isaac (age 30, RM, has boyfriend) join us to share their family story. Isaac starts with his story of coming out to his parents about 8 years ago following his successful mission and doing everything he knew to be straight. Jenny and Don then share their journey to love and support their gay son and his long-term boyfriend Brock. It’s been a journey for the Hong family with some ups and downs—but a beautiful family love story with a foundation in love, curiosity, listening and honest communication. Don (a former Bishop) then shares a talk he gave (that has since gone viral) called "The Gift of Doubt: How doubt and a gay son brought me closer to God." It is a powerful talk based on Brother Jared Halverson’s stages of faith. Don’s talk hits on a key need in our Church community to normalize doubt and learn to develop new models and perspectives to make our way forward as Latter-day Saints. If you are a parent of a queer child or a child who has chosen to step away from the church, please listen to this podcast. Don and Jenny advice/story/principles will help you. If you are in a faith journey (or helping others deciding to stay or step away) and are looking for new tools/perspectives, Don’s talk will help you. Faith journeys are ever evolving and different for everyone, and the Hong family is continually learning to drop unhealthy expectations and better focus on loving and listening to each other. And if you are a queer Latter-day Saint, Isaac’s honest/powerful story will give you hope. Thank you, Don, Jenny and Isaac, for being on the podcast. You are helping so many! Links: Don’s Talk: www.facebook.com/don.hong.56/posts/6563223063728507 Index of Podcasts: listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143 Richard Ostler Book: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: Deseret Book: deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773