My friends Lila and Gina Ellsworth join us to share their story. Lila (Film major at the University of Utah, plays on the women’s hockey team, from Gilbert AZ) shares her journey trying to understand her sexual orientation—a journey that started in middle school. Lila talks about praying on how to navigate this road, turning to podcasts to hear other stories, coming out to a friend and then her mother Gina. She also shares her original journal entries to help us understand her road to love and accept herself.

Lila talks about all the pain and shame for her feelings—feelings she has no control over and how others helped her feel normal.

Lila talks about coming out to her mother and how her mother’s loves and supports Lila—and her heart of love seeing “all the pain Lila is feeling.” Gina shares the suicidal feelings that Lila was experiencing and her heartache and love for her.

Lila then talks about a coming out to her dad Matt and his support and then extended family (with her seminary teacher helping her on the letter).

I am so grateful for Lila’s courage to be open about her orientation and to share her story on the podcast—her story will give others hope in their journey. I’m grateful for Gina for also being on the podcast and her insights for LDS parents on how to love, understand, and support their queer children.

This is a beautiful family love story—love the Ellsworth family—sharing your story helps so many.

Links:

Ministering to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/1433556613672143

Richard Ostler Book: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints:

Deseret Book: deseretbook.com/p/listen-learn-and-love-embracing-lgbtq-latter-day-saints?variant_id=189035-paperback

Amazon: amazon.com/dp/1462135773

Index of Podcasts: listenlearnandlove.org/podcasts