My name is Blake Wheeler and I have been mostly closeted until just recently. I was born and raised in the LDS Church. I Served a full-time mission in Florida and shortly upon me return got married to a beautiful, amazing woman. We were married for 10 years and have two incredible children together.
This is where my story takes a turn and gets dicey…. After 10 years of being married we cordially decided to part ways in August of 2018. We continue to remain best friends and are working as the best co-parents we can be and I still love her for being as strong and independent as she is. Our divorce was finalized in October of 2018 and became one of the fastest divorces on record, we knew what needed to be done and I am a doer!
I knew when I was twelve that I had these attractions, but knew nothing about the term gay or what it meant. After years with pornography “addictions” (my definition of addiction has changed since I left the LDS Church) and countless visits to the Bishops office I became more and more aware of my sexuality. I finally came out to the entire world aka Facebook that I was gay just in September, I had a new take on life and a new take on who I was as a person. I was always terrified of leaving the LDS church and taking action on things the needed to be done, but now that I am on the other side, I feel that I am a much happier person living in my own skin and finally living my own narrative.
Church…. YIKES… this is a tricky area of my life. I still 100% believe the LDS church to be true and still listen to General Conference and take my kiddos to Church when its my weekend. I have no negative feelings towards the Church whatsoever, however when I say “I left the LDS Church” all that means is that I am not accepted fully by the Church as I am right now, I do not live in accordance to the commandments.
Lastly, I feel like for the most part I am understood and accepted by all. I have lost a few friends along the way, but my family has all still accepted me and are still in my life. The ward I attend is my family ward that I grew up in since I was 12, I still get greeted and accepted and loved. They all mostly know my current circumstances due to social media.
I am a protector and a lover, I am Blake Wheeler, I am gay and so very extremely proud of ME and who I am becoming!
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This In My Own Words story is a contribution from Let’s Love Better, a Facebook group dedicated to helping people learn to better share love, while fostering an atmosphere of understanding. When we know better, we do better.
