Gay Latter-day Saint Archives

165: Paul Bird | Finding My Balance As a Gay Mormon

Posted 3 years ago Tagged Gay Latter-day Saint Gay Mormon

For orthodox Christians, especially Latter-day Saints, Paul Bird’s life doesn’t fit the mold. He admittedly loves the Word of Wisdom, but loathes the Law of Chastity. And that is where his story blossoms.

Paul is from Tucson, Arizona. He grew … Read the rest here

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4 hours ago

SALT LAKE CITY — Ryan Barlow made waves at this year’s Utah Pride Festival by cosplaying as “Gay Jesus” for two days, an act he described in a social media post as a transformative experience aimed at healing those hurt by religious communities. Barlow’s bold costume sparked both admiration and critique, underscoring the conflicts between faith, identity, and acceptance.

Barlow, once a devout member of the Mormon church, said his portrayal was not mockery but a reclamation of Jesus’s teachings of love and inclusion. “I was taught my beliefs were sacred and untouchable,” he wrote. “But I didn’t accept that they were hurting people — lots of people.”

At Pride, he hugged hundreds and posed for thousands of selfies, many with attendees who shared stories of pain inflicted by religious rejection.

Festivalgoers, some in tears, thanked Barlow for helping them heal from experiences like being labeled “abominations” by church leaders or facing policies that branded them apostates for their identities. Barlow noted the dissonance between Jesus’s New Testament teachings — to “love one another” and uplift the marginalized — and actions of some modern faith communities, citing examples like church leaders endorsing harmful practices or policies that ostracize LGBTQ+ members.

“Pride’s rainbow flag says you’re loved exactly as you are,” Barlow said, aligning it with Jesus’s message. He joined the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network’s booth and parade, supporting those recovering from religiously justified practices widely discredited as harmful.

While many at Pride agreed “Jesus would be here,” some online critics called Barlow’s act blasphemous. Undeterred, he emphasizes the act as an embodiment of love, not ridicule. “I’m helping people reclaim what religion turned against them,” he said.

The Utah Pride Festival, a celebration of diversity, provided a vibrant backdrop for Barlow’s message, drawing nearly 100,000 people to downtown Salt Lake City. His story will continue to spark debates online, with supporters lauding his courage and detractors questioning his methods.

Happy Pride Month, Barlow concluded, signing off with a rainbow of heart emojis. ... See MoreSee Less

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Latter Gay Stories

15 hours ago

A recent Gallup poll, out last month, highlights a significant trend: the partisan divide on same-sex marriage in the United States is now the widest it has been in nearly three decades.

Since the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, overall public support across all political affiliations has held steady at 68 percent.
This figure reflects a clear majority of Americans who continue to support marriage equality, affirming the right to love and marry freely.

However, the gap between political affiliations has grown dramatically. Democratic support has reached an all-time high of 88%, while Republican support has fallen from a previous high of 55% to 41% in 2025, creating a 47-point divide—the largest since Gallup began tracking this issue in 1996. Independents remain consistent with 76% support.

This widening gap reflects deeper cultural and political tensions. The drop in Republican support coincides with increased legislative and legal efforts to challenge LGBTQ+ rights, raising concerns about potential threats to the protections secured in 2015. The Obergefell ruling affirmed that marriage represents society’s highest ideals and guarantees equal dignity under the Constitution’s due process clause. Yet, the current polarized climate suggests that these rights could face renewed scrutiny.

The recent election has further complicated this landscape—empowered individuals with bigoted and homophobic views seem to express their opinions more freely. Political rhetoric and policy proposals during Trump’s campaign often leaned into divisive cultural issues, amplifying voices that oppose LGBTQ+ rights. This environment risks normalizing harmful attitudes, underscoring the need for continued advocacy to protect equality and inclusion.

Despite these challenges, the sustained 68% public support for same-sex marriage offers hope. A majority of Americans, across total political lines, continue to uphold the right to love and marry freely. The fight for equality remains critical, as does the effort to bridge this partisan divide and ensure that dignity and inclusion prevail. ... See MoreSee Less

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Latter Gay Stories

2 days ago

It’s ours—we stole it fair and square. 😂😂

Seriously, we are willing to share. Please feel free to bedazzle your big trucks and red hats with the big, beautiful rainbow.

Jesus approves.

#LatterGayStories #Pride #Rainbow ... See MoreSee Less

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165: Paul Bird | Finding My Balance As a Gay Mormon

Latter Gay Stories

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