All Out in the Open
All Out in the Open, Questions from the Closet
All Out in the Open is a resource for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Our goal is to help listeners connect with themselves, with their families, with their community, and with God. Hosts Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty help listeners open up to themselves and those around them. Clare Dalton digs into the scriptures and teaches how they can be a catalyst for personal revelation. Iese Wilson takes listeners on a tour of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints all over the Church and introduces us to modern day pioneers. Michael Soto and Liz Macdonald highlight the amazing work of those who are building and strengthening their communities. Learn more at www.alloutintheopen.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 22, 2020 • 41min
Should I stay single and celibate?
Charlie and Ben discuss how they feel about being described as "celibate" and making the choice to stay single. They also discuss how to thrive as single people and how personal revelation has guided their life choices.
Jul 16, 2020 • 35min
What's it like being married to a gay man?
Margaret Steward was surprised one Sunday morning when her husband of 30 years came out to her as gay. In this episode, Margaret and her husband Travis talk about what that experience was like and how they feel about their future. Charlie and Ben also share experiences of when they tried to date girls.
Jul 7, 2020 • 37min
How do I reconcile changes in Church policy?
LDS author Tom Christofferson joins us to discuss changes in Church policy. We cover the November 2015 policy that affected LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, as well as its reversal in 2019. We have a conversation about dealing with challenging teachings or topics in a church setting, and how we maintain faith when policies change.
Jun 30, 2020 • 35min
How can we stop LGBTQ+ suicide?
Suicidal ideation is very common and can surface in unexpected ways. This week we are joined by Taryn Hiatt, the Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We talk about myths surrounding suicide, warning signs, and practical steps anyone can take when life feels overwhelming. Please do not miss this important episode. For further education, extra resources, and advice on how to change our culture around suicide and mental health, you can visit Utah's suicide prevention coalition at liveonutah.org.
Jun 23, 2020 • 21min
Should I go to Pride?
The month of June commemorates LGBTQ Pride. For many LGBTQ individuals, Pride events are a way to spread visibility, create a sense of belonging, and celebrate how far they have come. For some, however, Pride might seem dangerous or scary. This week we are joined by Erika Munson to talk about the decision of whether or not to go to Pride, as well how to make Pride a safe and memorable experience.
Jun 16, 2020 • 28min
What do I do when going to church is hard?
Attending church can sometimes be difficult for LGBTQ individuals. This week, Kelly Peterson, convert, return missionary, and college basketball player, joins us to talk about what she does when she feels uncomfortable or out of place at church.
Jun 9, 2020 • 18min
What's it like to be transgender? (Trans 101)
Ann Pack joined us this week to discuss the “T” in LGBTQ and how being transgender differs from being gay. She shares part of her journey of understanding her gender identity and why she chose to transition.
Jun 2, 2020 • 29min
How do I reconcile my patriarchal blessing?
What happens when you're LGBTQ/SSA but your patriarchal blessing mentions temple marriage? Dr. Richard Bushman, author, professor, scripture historian, and stake patriarch, joins us this week for an important discussion on how to reconcile sexual orientation with promises mentioned in a patriarchal blessing. Don't miss this episode!
May 26, 2020 • 33min
How can we talk about LGBTQ topics at church?
Bishop Carl Hull joins us to talk about what happened when he felt prompted to have an LGBTQ inclusion lesson with his ward. He shares stories about changing perceptions and how he has helped create a safe, open environment in his congregation. Carl's full story can be found on Ben's blog! (benschilaty.blogspot.com - "The Eyes of My Understanding Were Opened": A Bishop's Journey - August 31, 2016 )
May 19, 2020 • 27min
How can I support my LGBTQ child?
Becky Mackintosh, author of "Love Boldly," joins Ben and Charlie to talk about how she has supported her gay son through his coming out process, and beyond. They discuss tips for keeping open parent/child communication and what parents can do to support their LGBTQ children. Becky's story can be found at www.beckymackintosh.com
