When Gilbert Gonzalez Jr. fell in love with God, he was told he couldn’t be both gay and Christian. Years later, he’s learned that faith and identity don’t have to be enemies. In this episode of I Tried to Be Straight, Gilbert shares how he reconciled his faith, embraced his truth, and now fights for a church that fully affirms LGBTQ+ believers.

Lewis Crompton was a respected prophetic leader and church counselor but he was denying his sexuality. For years, he prayed, fasted, and even tried conversion therapy, desperately hoping his sexuality would change. In this conversation, Lewis shares the painful cost of hiding, the deep questions he wrestled with and how he ultimately found the courage to come out as gay.

https://www.instagram.com/withlewiscrompton/

William Matthews has been known for his powerful voice and songwriting in the Christian music world, but behind the music was a years-long struggle to accept his own sexuality. In this candid conversation, William opens up about the internal battles, the faith questions, and the turning points that led him to finally embrace who he was as a gay man.

Lucas Wilson shares his experience of spending four years in conversion therapy while attending Liberty University. Now, years later, Lucas is reclaiming his voice as the writer of Shame-Sex Attraction, a powerful anthology of stories from conversion therapy survivors. We dive into his story, the lasting effects of spiritual trauma, and what healing and queer joy can look like on the other side.

Ten years ago, at just 24 years old, Matthew Vines published God and the Gay Christian, a book that would challenge centuries of church teaching and ignite a movement. In this episode, Matthew reflects on the past decade: the backlash, the breakthroughs, and the communities that have formed around the idea that you can be fully gay and fully Christian.

https://matthewvines.com/

While Jordan was living what many would consider the ideal Christian life, evangelizing and serving at his church, he was quietly struggling with his attraction to men. Everything came to a head when another student outed him in college, costing him school benefits simply for being gay and making him question everything.

After years of working in the church and trying to stay in the closet, Cade -  ⁨@GayExTrad⁩  Justin -  ⁨@EmptyChairsHome⁩  and Nate sit down to talk about what it’s been like to finally live out in the open. From unlearning shame to finding joy in authenticity, this episode dives deep into the emotional, spiritual, and relational journey of coming out after growing up in the church.

Brandan Robertson explains in his new book Queer & Christian, where he challenges traditional interpretations of Scripture that have long excluded LGBTQ+ people. Instead, he uncovers the Bible’s true message of love, justice, and radical inclusion. More than just a reclamation of the Bible, this book is a call to reclaim the rightful place of queer people at God’s table. Whether you're seeking clarity, healing, or a deeper connection to your faith, Queer & Christian offers the tools to build a more inclusive and affirming Christian community.

https://www.brandanrobertson.com/queer-christian-book

Some big announcements and big changes for the first episode of season 3 of I Tried to Be Straight!

Lucas Hall shares his story of coming out, his journey of faith, resilience, and self-discovery. His story is a testament to perseverance and the power of staying true to oneself.

You can connect with Lucas on Instagram - @thelucassamuel

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