In this episode, Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson dive into the raw, emotional journey of coming out as LGBTQ+ while rooted in faith communities.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, reflecting Aaron’s struggles.

Aaron opens up about the intense challenges of coming out as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, including dark moments where he contemplated suicide. Ben shares his path, navigating the phase of coming out and finding safe people.

Together, they offer wisdom on preparing to come out, finding affirming allies, and managing community rejection. Their honest, heartfelt chat, sprinkled with humour, lights a path to authenticity for anyone feeling torn between faith and identity.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Contact Lifeline Australia, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

In Episode 2 of Queerfully Made Podcast, cheekily titled "Ben's Testimony" as a wink to church-style stories of overcoming, but this one's all about a different kind of freedom. Co-host Ben Nicholson opens up to Aaron Kelly about his hidden journey as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, where purity rules left no room for LGBTQ+ intimacy.

Ben shares the exhausting double life: sneaking moments of connection in secret, always under the radar, because anything else felt forbidden. It's a raw look at the isolation and stress of suppressing desires while clinging to faith. Things turn dark as Ben recounts rock-bottom moments, including time in prison, and the long road to rebuilding. Freedom came post-release, culminating in his authentic coming out during COVID, a time of global isolation that ironically set him free from religious restraints.

This episode is a testament to resilience, showing how faith and identity don't have to clash. If you've hidden parts of yourself or wondered if there's a way forward, Ben's story offers hope and honesty.

In these early episodes, we're unpacking our hosts' journeys before welcoming guests from across the faith-sexuality spectrum. Queerfully Made proves both can thrive together.

Subscribe for more, and catch Episode 3 soon!

What part of Ben's story hit home? Comment below!

Welcome to the debut episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, where we explore the raw, beautiful intersection of faith and sexuality. Titled "Aaron's Testimony" as a cheeky homage to those classic church testimonies, this episode co-host Aaron Kelly chats with Ben Nicholson about his journey as a gay man raised in evangelical Christianity.

Aaron paints a vivid picture of his early years: youth groups, sermons, and family pressures that made his attractions feel like a shameful secret sin. He opens up about conversion practices, the shame they brought, and the fear of rejection when coming out. But hope shines through as Aaron shares finding affirming faith that celebrates authenticity, not suppression.

This is just the highlights reel. One episode can't capture it all. In the first few episodes, we'll dive deeper into Aaron and Ben's stories, unpacking their unique paths. Then, we'll welcome guests from across the faith and sexuality spectrum: affirming leaders, theologians, ex-pastors, queer activists, drag queens, and more, having conversations exploring whether faith and lgbtq+ sexuality can coexist.

If you've ever felt torn between who you are and what you believe, Aaron's story will resonate. Tune in for vulnerability, humour, and hope.

Subscribe for future episodes, and join us in building a community where every story belongs.