Episode 638: Thomas Auseuga, Gay Australian Latter-day Saint

My friend Thomas Auseuga joins us from Brisbane, Australia (my first LGBTQ guest from Australia) to share his story. Thomas (who is in his 20's and served a mission in the Philippines) talks about realizing he was different around age 12 and then processing that alone until he came out as gay to his mother at age 16. Thomas talks about believing he was the only Latter-day Saint with these feelings and concluding he was a bad person. He talks about all the gay jokes and rhetoric that led to immense—and deserved—shame. Thomas talks about his young adult years and then coming out again to his mother at age 22 before his mission—including why being gay was not discussed during the six years since coming out at age 16. Thomas talks about how his relationship with Heavenly Father and his Savior is crucial to his journey. Thomas talks about his mission (good experience), returning home, and his efforts to find a girl and get married. Thomas talks about the anxiety of dating and being reminded of not being unable to connect with women—leading to shame, discouragement and feeling broken. Thomas talks about coming out to friends and family and then his brave decision to come out publicly in February 2023—one of the very first openly queer Latter-day Saints in Australia. Thomas, who is still an active Latter-day Saint, talks about what he has learned, how he can help others (he is currently a Student Social Worker at University), what he would say to his younger self, and his hopes for the future. I was so impressed listening to Thomas. He is so brave to be out in a place with few examples or role models. Thank you, Thomas, for being on the podcast and for your example of courage, faith, and hope. You are a remarkable man and doing much good in our Church and beyond. Podcast Links: Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143 Richard Ostler Book: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints: Deseret Book: www.deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1462135773