All Out in the Open

This month on OPEN Up, Ben shares a deeply personal story about navigating the reactions of his local Church leadership after he performed a same-sex wedding. Ben and Charlie discuss the scrutiny that LGBTQ+ Latter-Day Saints often face and how others Church members can help them feel seen.

In this special episode of THE Exclusive, Ben Schilaty is joined by Emilee Cutler and Spencer David Smith to talk about the upcoming Gather Conference, taking place this June in Provo, Utah. Now in its third year, the conference creates a Christ-centered space where LGBTQ+ individuals and those who love them can connect, learn, and feel seen.Emilee shares her personal journey from fear to peace as the mother of a gay son, and how listening to LGBTQ+ stories helped transform her heart. Spencer reflects on coming out at 27, navigating faith and identity, and the unexpected healing he found by volunteering at Gather Conference. Together, they explore how the conference fosters belonging, compassion, and hope.To register for Gather Conference, please visit gather-conference.com. 

This month on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton and Sean Nicholes—a gay Latter-day Saint, psychiatry resident, and member of the U.S. Air Force—explore Doctrine & Covenants 41-50.In these sections, the early Saints were dealing with rumors both inside and outside the Church. Clare and Sean discuss how these stories help us learn to challenge stereotypes and love those who are different from us. When we discover our non-negotiables, we can live a life of integrity and purpose, relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ when we fall short. By our fruits, others will know our values and our hearts.

In this month’s episode of OUT and About, Iese Wilson sits down with Liv Mendoza Haynes, a queer, Mexican Latter-Day Saint. Liv shares how her unique intersection of identities shapes her spiritual journey.Liv reflects on joining the Church and serving a full-time mission in Mexico—and the complex emotions of teaching people from her own cultural background. Blessed to be in a mixed-orientation marriage full of mutual love and respect, she reminds our listeners: each and every one of you deserve love, and we’re rooting for you to find it. 

This week’s ALL Together guest Malissa Larson knows firsthand the power of community. A former homeless youth and first-generation college graduate, she worked her way through school and now serves as a Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Phoenix, helping to connect and uplift communities.In the episode, Malissa discuses with Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto the importance of meeting people where they are—slowing down, speaking their language, and listening with intention. Real change comes from hope, not shame. By focusing on the dignity of others and finding safe spaces for ourselves, we can build bridges that lead to lasting impact.

OPEN Up: Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty tackle the overwhelming noise surrounding LGBTQ+ topics in the Church and society, sharing personal stories of feeling excluded, politicized or dehumanized. Those experiences can bring a lot of loneliness but also a deeper, more complex faith.Loving God and loving our neighbor go hand in hand—Ben and Charlie ask us to ponder, what does it truly mean to love our LGBTQ+ neighbors? While individual acceptance doesn’t make up for structural exclusion, allies are needed to cut through the noise by standing up, sharing stories, and catching stones when necessary.

This week on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton sits down with Ady and Cora Johnson—returned missionaries, newlyweds, adventurers and active members of the Church. They dive into Doctrine and Covenants 29-40, exploring how God asks us to leave parts of our old selves behind. As we change, we may grieve the life we thought we’d live, but there is also incredible joy in becoming who we’re meant to be.

In this episode of OUT and About, Iese Wilson interviews Wallace Pelesasa—a fellow Samoan and gay Latter-Day Saint. Growing up in a large family, Wallace attended church mainly to appease his father. His testimony didn’t truly ignite until his military service, where he met people whose faith inspired him. As he built a relationship with God, Wallace also embraced his own identity and discovered his mission to build bridges between the LGBTQ+ community and his Samoan church congregation. His efforts remind us that true harmony comes when we embrace differences.  

This week on ALL Together, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Clare Dalton, host of IN the Scriptures and curator of the Gatherings curriculum, and Jen Dille, project manager at the Center for Action and Contemplation. Together Jen and Clare started monthly Ally Nights—safe spaces for learning, connection and support for LGBTQ+ individuals and those who love them. The episode explores what it means to be an ally and how our small, collective efforts can make a big difference. They also highlight the upcoming Gather Conference Arizona and Belong Youth Conference. We hope to see you at these great events!Gather Conference Arizona: https://www.gather-conference.com/regionalBelong Youth Conference: https://www.belongyouthconference.org

In this week’s OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty shares his experiences with grief after recently losing his mother to her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He reflects on the incredible life she lived, the challenges she overcame, and the profound impact she had on those who loved her.Ben also reveals what has been helpful in the mourning process—including the simple but powerful question, “What does grief look like for you today?”