All Out in the Open Finding Self Acceptance as a Gay Saint in Jamaica (with Marcel Robinson)
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Oct 14, 2025 In this heartfelt discussion, Marcel Robinson, a gay Latter-day Saint from Jamaica, shares his inspiring journey of self-acceptance. He opens up about his loving, church-centered upbringing and the challenges of coming to terms with his sexuality. Marcel recounts his mission experiences, mental health struggles, and a transformative moment of spiritual reassurance. He highlights the harsh realities of Jamaica’s anti-LGBTQ laws, his decision to study at BYU–Idaho, and the relief of publicly coming out. His story emphasizes hope, resilience, and the need for kindness in faith communities.
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Loving Upbringing And Early Realizations
- Marcel grew up in a loving Latter-day Saint family in Jamaica and lost his father three days before his 14th birthday.
- He first realized he was attracted to men in high school and initially told himself he was bisexual while searching for a girlfriend.
First Kiss, Guilt, And Being Discovered
- At 16 Marcel kissed a boy at the back of a classroom and felt immediate guilt and shame, even vomiting afterward.
- His mother later discovered texts and confronted him, starting a difficult but evolving conversation.
Mission Service Amid Inner Conflict
- Marcel always wanted to serve a mission and lied to leaders about seeing himself with a woman to be allowed to go.
- He served in the Belgium-Netherlands mission and found parts of his mission emotionally and mentally very difficult.