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
Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 13min
Giving Ourself and Others Space to Grow (with Terri & Dan Pratt)
This week on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton talks with Terri and Dan 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.
Jan 14, 2025 • 49min
Converting in Hong Kong... To Become Straight? (with Uri (Yin Jai))
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.
Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 10min
Creating Social Safety for LGBTQ+ Loved-ones (with Dr. Lisa Diamond, Julia Decker, & Jay Christensen)
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.
Jan 2, 2025 • 57min
Exploring Body Image and Eating Through an LGBTQ+ Lens (with Sydney Williams, LCSW)
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.
Dec 24, 2024 • 57min
Spanish Episode: Compartiendo Nuestras Experiencias como Miembros Gays en la Iglesia
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.
Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
Asking Questions is the Answer: JS-H and D&C 1-2 (with Austin Peterson)
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.
Dec 10, 2024 • 50min
Pioneering A Path in Mexico (with André Pérez)
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.
Dec 3, 2024 • 41min
A Reverend's Calling to Strengthen LGBTQ+ Belonging (with Dr. Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen)
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.
Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 1min
Owning Your Choices When Others Disagree (with Ben & Charlie)
OPEN Up: Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird dive into the challenges of making authentic, personal decisions—especially when those choices are misunderstood or rejected by others. They discuss the pain of breaking the status quo and share personal stories about navigating loneliness, rejection, and the weight of following personal revelation as LGBTQ+ members of the Church. Together, they explore the importance of setting boundaries, processing past trauma, and finding healing through community and grace.
Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 12min
Seeing the Love of God In Others (with Tom Christofferson)
IN the Scriptures: In this episode, Clare Dalton chats with Tom Christofferson about finding faith, hope, and love through the stories in Ether 12 and Moroni 7 from the Book of Mormon. They dive into the ups and downs of faith, what it means to trust God, and how to see yourself the way Christ does. Along the way, Clare and Tom share personal stories about navigating life’s challenges, embracing who they are, and finding connection through charity and understanding.
