All Out in the Open

In this ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Pastor Stan Mitchell, a Christian pastor with a powerful journey of faith and inclusion. Growing up in a fear-based, exclusivist Christian tradition, he gradually expanded his understanding of God’s love and eventually played a role in his Nashville church’s decision to fully embrace LGBTQ+ members in 2015. Now, he travels extensively, helping Christian families and churches navigate faith and LGBTQ+ acceptance.Pastor Mitchell discusses the wounds that religious teachings can cause—not just for LGBTQ+ individuals but also for those who uphold exclusionary beliefs out of fear and conviction. Through Jesus’s parables and stories, he illustrates the need for compassion, listening, and standing in solidarity with the marginalized. He challenges allies to move beyond passive support, reminding us that if we’re not feeling the impact of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, we may not be standing close enough.

This month on OPEN Up, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird sit down with Lisa Valentine Clark. Lisa is a mother of five and host of the podcasts “The Lisa Show” and “Council of Moms.”Lisa shares her experience with grief following the death of her husband. She discusses navigating life when it doesn’t go as planned, including finding connection and living in the present.

This week on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton talks with Dan and Terri Pratt, parents of six neurodivergent children, some of whom are LGBTQ+. They share their journey of supporting their kids, overcoming internalized beliefs, and building a more inclusive faith.Drawing on Joseph Smith’s First Vision, they discuss the importance of family support and unconditional love for youth navigating their identities. Their message: God loves us as we are, and curiosity and compassion can help us grow together.

From Hong Kong to Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Uri shares his journey as a gay member of the Church—finding God’s love, self-acceptance, and community along the way. Tune in to this heartfelt OUT and About episode with host Iese Wilson as Uri reflects on his path, the challenges he’s faced, and his message of hope for LGBTQ+ individuals: You’re perfect, you’re brave, and you’re not alone.

Kick off the new year with an inspiring ALL Together episode! Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto interview Dr. Lisa Diamond, professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah, and her research assistants Julia Decker and Jay Christensen. The trio discusses their important research on social safety for LGBTQ+ members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and provides practical advice on creating safety and connection.

In the new OPEN Up episode, Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty sit down with Sydney Williams, LCSW, a therapist and eating disorder specialist, to explore the complex relationship between body image and the LGBTQ+ community.They share insights into the cultural and historical factors shaping body ideals and offer practical advice on loving and trusting your body as a gift from God.

Don’t miss the first episode of All Out in the Open in Spanish!In this special episode of THE Exclusive, Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty share their experiences as gay members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and answer frequently asked questions. We hope this episode can be a resource to support Hispanic individuals and families on their journeys of faith, love and understanding.

This week Clare Dalton is joined by Austin Peterson, her collaborator on the Gatherings curriculum—Come Follow Me study groups designed for LGBTQ+ Church members and allies. Together, they dive into the early sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, exploring how asking questions can deepen our connection to God, ourselves, and others.

In this episode of OUT and About, Iese Wilson sits down with André Pérez to discuss his journey as an LGBTQ+ member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints growing up in Mexico City. André saw a need for connection among Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ members and allies, and created a virtual community that continues to thrive with monthly meetings attended by over 100 people.André shares his journey of coming out, navigating mental health struggles, and staying in the Church while advocating for change. Through his faith and identity, he has come to know Christ in deeper ways and believes life is better when we include God and strive to help others.

For this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rev. Dr. Marian Edmonds-Allen, an ordained pastor and executive director of Parity, a nonprofit in New York City addressing the intersection of LGBTQ+ and faith communities. From starting her ministry as a single mom of four to advocating for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, Marian shares her inspiring journey of combining faith and action to create meaningful change.