Called to Queer

In this episode, we interview Hao Le. Hao is a former President of the Affirmation Hawaii Chapter. During her time as a BYU-Hawaii student, she advocated for LGBTQ+ students through effective communication with the BYUH Administration. Hao and her team also spent their time collaborating with BYUH faculty and staff, including the Counseling Office, Title IX, and Residential Life, to promote supports for LGBTQ+ BYUH Students through training and outreach. She was also highlighted by the the local news and non-profit organizations in Hawai’i for her advocacy. After graduating from BYUH, Hao decided to pursue her Master Degree at the University of Hawaii to continue to serve the public and bring more supports to the local LGBTQ+ community on the island.

Some things Hao talks about in this episode includes:

• Her work with Affirmation and BYUH
• Vietnamese culture vs Mormon culture towards queerness
• Anti-Asian racism, the bamboo ceiling, and the "model minority" myth

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we interview Laurie Lee Hall. Laurie Lee was raised in New England and was trained in architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York. A practicing architect for over thirty years, her career has included managing worldwide construction programs and many of the largest projects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including being the Chief Architect for the LDS Church and Director of Design and/or Construction for around 40 LDS temples. She has served as both a bishop and stake president in Utah before coming out as a trans woman and later being excommunicated. Laurie Lee has also served as Vice President of Affirmation and is a fierce advocate for queer people.

Some things Laurie Lee talks about in this episode includes:

• Realizing her gender incongruence at the age of 5
• Being a church employee for over 20 years and serving in many ecclesiastical roles
• Working with Affirmation to help make it more inclusive and welcoming for trans and gender diverse individuals

To hear Laurie Lee Hall talk further about her experiences working for the church, you can check out the following videos on YouTube:

• Laurie Lee Hall, 2019 Affirmation International Conference
• Creating Sacred Spaces | Laurie Lee Hall

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you get when a historian and sex therapist talk about marriage and purity culture? This episode!

In this non-interview episode, Kate and Colette talk about about topics including:

• The difference between civil and religious ceremonies when it comes to marriages
• The importance of bodily autonomy and consent
• Why people who are assigned female at birth may not realize their sexuality until later

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we interview Channing Parker. Channing is podcaster, writer, and yoga instructor. She has a breadth of background knowledge focused on feminist theology, embodiment, women's mysteries, ancient religions and spirituality, and mysticism. Channing grew up LDS, but has experienced many faith transitions which has softened dogma into fervent and abiding love. She has been a practicing witch for four years and counting, and is deeply committed to serving her community through her radical authenticity, vulnerability, and desire to leave the world better than she found it. You can connect with Channing through her work on The Faithful Feminists podcast or celebrate queer witch joy with her at @channingbparker on Instagram.

Some things Channing talks about in this episode includes:

• Discovering her sexuality recently, as a bi woman in a mixed-orientation marriage
• The intersection of patriarchy and queerness
• Discovering witchcraft and feminism around the same time and how she practices both of those

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we interview Blaire Ostler. Blaire is a philosopher specializing in queer and Mormon studies, and is a leading voice at the intersection of queer, Mormon, and transhumanist thought. She is the author of “Queer Mormon Theology: An Introduction.” She is also a board member and podcaster at Sunstone, and former CEO and board member at the Mormon Transhumanist Association.

Some things Blaire talks about in this episode include:

• Being a bi and intersex individual in a mixed-orientation marriage
• The ideas of celestial genocide and queer polygamy (both concepts in "Queer Mormon Theology")
• Dealing with mental health struggles when her mind and body don't fit in a binary like the Church wants it to

If you want to connect with Blaire, you can follow her on Facebook, on Instagram, or through her website.

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, get to know Kate Mower, one of Called to Queer's co-hosts. Some things Kate talks about include:

• Nonbinary gender in a very gendered church
• Retreating back to the closet to wait until they could safely come out
• How they've learned to stay true to their own experiences rather than giving in to other people's expectations of them

If you want to connect with Kate, you can follow them on Instagram @latterdaylez.

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, get to know Colette Dalton, one of Called to Queer's co-hosts. Some things Colette talks about include:

• Questioning and doubting her sexuality and being "late to lesbian"
• Working for the church while grappling with her sexuality
• Being a therapist, including working with people who are also queer

If you want to connect with Colette, you can follow her on Instagram @colettedalton or on Facebook @ColetteDaltonLCSW.

For episode transcripts and further resources, please visit our website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.