All Out in the Open

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/regional
Belong 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?”

This week on IN the Scriptures, Clare Dalton and Becca Shumway dive into Doctrine and Covenants 18-28. These revelations shaped the early structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Clare and Becca explore how structure can be both a help and a hindrance to personal growth. 

In the episode, Becca shares her insights on faith, the ongoing restoration and what it means to truly see the worth of every soul. 

In this week’s OUT and About episode, Iese Wilson interviews Max Maneekam, a gay Latter-day Saint from Thailand now living in South Carolina with his husband.

Max shares his journey of faith, from discovering the Church at age 12 to serving a mission in Ogden, Utah, to becoming the branch president of his Thai congregation at age 21 to attending BYU-Hawaii. As he has navigated religion and identity, he has been blessed to find unwavering support from his family, and he wants to be a resource for other LGBTQ+ members of the Church who face rejection, encouraging them to be brave, be yourself and know God loves you. 

In this ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Pastor Stan Mitchell, a Christian pastor with a powerful journey of faith and inclusion. Growing up in a fear-based, exclusivist Christian tradition, he gradually expanded his understanding of God’s love and eventually played a role in his Nashville church’s decision to fully embrace LGBTQ+ members in 2015. Now, he travels extensively, helping Christian families and churches navigate faith and LGBTQ+ acceptance.

Pastor Mitchell discusses the wounds that religious teachings can cause—not just for LGBTQ+ individuals but also for those who uphold exclusionary beliefs out of fear and conviction. Through Jesus’s parables and stories, he illustrates the need for compassion, listening, and standing in solidarity with the marginalized. He challenges allies to move beyond passive support, reminding us that if we’re not feeling the impact of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, we may not be standing close enough.

This month on OPEN Up, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird sit down with Lisa Valentine Clark. Lisa is a mother of five and host of the podcasts “The Lisa Show” and “Council of Moms.”

Lisa shares her experience with grief following the death of her husband. She discusses navigating life when it doesn’t go as planned, including finding connection and living in the present.

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.

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.

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.