Growing Up Gay in a Mormon Military Family - Britton and Mason Laing Pt. 2 - Mormon Stories 1467

Growing Up Gay in a Mormon Military Family: Challenges Revealed

Navigating one's identity can be daunting, even more so when growing up in a devout Mormon military family. Britton and Mason Laing share their poignant stories in Part 2 of the Mormon Stories Podcast, hosted by John Dehlin, shedding light on the complexities of coming out as gay within a framework that reveres both religious and military traditions. For many within the LDS community, questions around LGBTQ+ acceptance are especially pressing, given the tension between church doctrine and personal identity. The Laing brothers' experiences offer a critical lens on the real-life impacts of these intersecting worlds.

Military Discipline Meets Religious Tradition

The Laing family, deeply rooted in both the military and the LDS Church, faced unique challenges. Kelly Laing's prestigious career in the U.S. Navy involved the rigorous discipline expected of a submariner, while their household reflected the structured environment of military life. Simultaneously, the family's commitment to Mormonism laid out a path marked by strict religious expectations, including participation in programs like the Boy Scouts, which embodies traditional values.

Mormonism itself grapples with a complex history regarding LGBTQ+ issues. While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made recent moves towards inclusivity, its past is marred by policies that conflated homosexuality with sinfulness, leaving many members conflicted. The tension between upholding faith and embracing an authentic self was a poignant part of Britton and Mason's upbringing.

Burden of Silence: Coming Out within the Church