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© 2025 All Out in the Open
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All Out in the Open is a resource for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Our goal is to help listeners connect with themselves, with their families, with their community, and with God. Hosts Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty help listeners open up to themselves and those around them. Clare Dalton digs into the scriptures and teaches how they can be a catalyst for personal revelation. Iese Wilson takes listeners on a tour of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints all over the Church and introduces us to modern day pioneers. Michael Soto and Liz Macdonald highlight the amazing work of those who are building and strengthening their communities. Learn more at www.alloutintheopen.org.
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This week in our ALL Together episode, Bishop Karen Oliveto shares her experiences as the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church and what it means to bring ministry to the margins. Drawing on insights from her book “Together at the Table,” Bishop Oliveto discusses the power of gathering to find common ground. Her story reminds us that inclusion and understanding are everyday expressions of faith.
This week’s OPEN Up episode features one of our very own editors, Mike Poret—better known as “Sound Guy Mike.” Mike first discovered Questions from the Closet while he was in the process of coming out. Reaching out to Charlie and Ben, he offered his technical skills, which have supported our guests and listeners for the past five years. In this episode, Mike shares what happens behind the scenes, his favorite episodes, and how the podcast has impacted his own journey.
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Michael Soto joins Clare Dalton to discuss Doctrine & Covenants 109-123. Together they explore the importance of names, boundaries, and chosen families.
This week in our OUT and About episode, VJ Aguilar shares his journey growing up in Mexico, immigrating to the U.S., and coming out as bisexual amid cultural pressures and familial expectations. From hiding his identity to proudly leading a Pride parade, VJ’s story inspires us to be brave.
This week in our ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Sara Burlingame, former Wyoming state legislator and current Executive Director of Wyoming Equality. Sara shares what it’s like to live and work as an LGBTQ+ advocate in Wyoming, drawing from her experiences in both nonprofit and government spaces. She reflects on the importance of protecting rights, reaching across the aisle, and meeting people where they are to build meaningful bridges. With a background i...
We’re hosting a morning gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them! Think light breakfast, good conversation, a few connection activities, and a short devotional. 📅 Saturday, September 13 🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm 📍 Private residence in Provo, UT (address shared after RSVP) RSVP using the link in our Instagram bio! Would love to see you there.
1This week’s OPEN Up episode features Barry Donakey, who helped launch LGBTQ+ workshops at Utah Valley Institute and is involved with the Gather Conference. Barry joins Ben and Charlie to explore Church resources that support individuals, families, and leaders in ministering to LGBTQ+ members. You can find the church counseling resources here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/counseling-resources/same-sex-attraction?lang=eng and the life help resources here: https...
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode Clare Dalton and Hannah Bryan discuss Doctrine and Covenants 94-108. These sections outline the intense persecution of the early Church members living in Missouri. As a transgender woman, Hannah has faced violence in her own life that mirrors that experiences of the early Saints. Clare and Hannah dive into the formation of the United Firm and Zion’s Camp. These groups faced challenges and didn’t achieve every purpose they set out to do—reminders tha...
This OUT and About episode features Atlas Nocturne (he/they). While at Arizona State University, Atlas began attending the Church’s Institute of Religion—even though they’re not a member. They share what it was like to navigate faith spaces as a trans, non-binary person and how Church members made them feel welcome. Atlas’ story is a reminder that understanding and connection can bloom, even when we start from very different places.
This week in our ALL Together episode, Bree and Kit Borrowman share their powerful journey of love, identity and community. Bree, a high school science teacher, lived with gender incongruence and dysphoria for about 50 years before coming out. Since then, she’s found joy and peace living as her authentic self. Her wife, Kit, shares what it’s been like to walk this road alongside Bree. Together, they discuss the deep sense of belonging they’ve found in the LGBTQ+ community while remaining act...
This week in our OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird talk with Justin Telthorst, a gay Catholic and founder of Empty Chairs, a nonprofit working to build belonging between LGBTQ+ individuals and the Catholic Church. Justin shares his journey of faith, identity, and advocacy—discussing what it’s like to be queer in a conservative faith tradition, and how he’s found purpose in creating space for others to feel seen. It’s a powerful conversation about authenticity, hope, and t...
How can I be a good ally? How do you stay hopeful in a difficult world? Who is Ben’s celebrity crush? Learn the answers (and more) in this THE Exclusive episode: a live Q&A from the 2025 Gather Conference featuring Ben Schilaty, Charlie Bird and Liz Macdonald.
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Clare Dalton sits down with Ben Bernards, an author, blogger, podcaster, and a beloved youth speaker known for his energetic love of the gospel. He is also a husband and father to three daughters—two of whom are trans. Together, Ben and Clare dive into the Doctrine and Covenants and reflect on what it means to truly embrace light and truth: by trusting God, overcoming fear, and letting go of previously held beliefs.
Our OUT and About episode this week looks a little different. Our guest Adrian (name changed) from Indonesia isn’t able to come out publicly, so he shared his experiences as an LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saint with host Iese Wilson, who retold them to Ben Schilaty. We’re grateful for every story bravely shared on All Out in the Open.
This week’s ALL Together episode features Cynthia Winward and Susan Hinckley, hosts of a podcast and authors of a book called At Last She Said It. They started their podcast to amplify the unspoken thoughts and feelings of Latter-day Saint women who feel out of place. Cynthia and Susan discuss the power of hearing people’s stories, embracing change as individuals and a living Church, and loving our family members as God does.
On this week’s OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird share heartfelt and powerful insights gathered from a survey of LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints. What do they wish their families, leaders, and fellow Church members understood? From deeply personal reflections to recurring themes of faith, pain, and hope, this episode gives voice to experiences too often overlooked. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or seeking to better support someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.
This week, Clare Dalton sits down with Stefanie Reinsch to discuss Doctrine & Covenants 71–83. Stefanie shares her journey of revelation and resilience. From serving a mission to coming out as bisexual to now pursuing PA school, she reminds us that there’s more than one way to walk with God.
On this week’s OUT and About episode, Iese Wilson talks with James Grant, a gay, neurodivergent Latter-day Saint from England currently serving on his stake high council. James shares his journey of coming out after years of denial and the role community and connection played in that process. A former missionary leader introduced James to the Questions from the Closet podcast and Gather Conference, which he later attended with his mom and had a deeply spiritual experience. He found hope and ...
On this month’s ALL Together episode, hosts Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Landon Phillips. Landon shares his journey of coming out, transitioning, and stepping into the world of LGBTQ+ advocacy. From focusing on faith-based spaces to working with Equality Arizona, Landon has used his voice as a trans person to foster change at both local and national levels. He also talk about building queer joy and community—including the queer Dungeons & Dragons group he helped launch. Th...
In this week’s OPEN Up episode, Ben and Charlie discuss the concept of deliverance, drawing parallels between the ancient Israelites and the LGBTQ+ community. They explore how the Spirit can push us to act, even when the path is difficult, scary or uncertain. They also acknowledge the trailblazers who helped pave the way for our deliverance and how knowing that others will follow in our footsteps influences our choices.
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From the beginning of the podcast I could tell I'll need to come back and listen to this again and again. There are so many things both of you said, some almost casually as if they were obvious, that I hadn't thought of before and will need to ponder and put into action in my life. What's the best thing I can do next in my life? Right now it's making dinner, but after that it's to look even deeper into what Moroni and Mormon wrote!
"Stand where the Savior stands." I love that!
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Have you been telling yourself, "That's never going to be someone in my family"? This is my niece, whom I love dearly. Someone in your life is LGBTQ. Listen to learn what your comments might mean to people even if you don't realize it.
Is it just me or is the audio not working?
I want to be apart of the church your apart of too! ❤️
Charlie, thank you so much for sharing this with us. You have no real idea who I am except someone who listens to your podcast, but I love you, I admire you, and I trust you to do what God tells you is right. Those answers don't always come quickly or clearly, but you do the best you possibly can, and people know it. You're a wonderful person, and I'm glad I've gotten to know you.
today's episode was very touching and loved Charlie's honesty and vulnerability. Love this post cast. love the way I see things and open my heart more and more. admire you both and love your example
Yes, Charlie, this is a good episode. 😊 It shows those of us who are not LGBTQ members of the Church how two of you who *are* members of the LGBTQ community and of the Church feel. As you say with each episode, "there are many, many more" perspectives, but what you shared today describes feelings from multiple important perspectives. You shared what it had been like *for you* to believe you were supposed to date people of the same gender, people of the opposite gender, and no people at all. You talked about why you had adamantly expected policy change in the Church, why you had adamantly not expected policy, and why you have felt comfortable not to know what to expect, as well as how you have felt in each position. These are enlightening to cishet people like me. I also appreciate the scriptures you share. Another one I know you are familiar with that has become more meaningful to me lately is Isaiah 55:8: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith t
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Guys, thanks so much for this episode! I feel like this one is particularly a good example of you opening your hearts to each other and letting us (and me personally) listen in. You really are consecrating your time to help all of God's children. I'm truly grateful.
Thanks so much for this conversation! I was able to apply it to my life in other areas, so it really helped me see things better.
"The Urim and Thummim of my relationship with God." Yes! Perfect.
Thank you so much for sharing so much, especially the things you've talked about in this episode. You have given us access to thoughts and experiences that are obviously very precious to you, trusting and hoping that others can grow from what has helped you. That is love.
David! I'm so glad to get to know you! Thanks for sharing your story and your thoughts. I feel more aware now, and I have all kinds of respect for you. Ben and Charlie, you're awesome!
This is what I needed right now! Thank you for discussing how to be an ally in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It tells me what I need to do better, *and* helps me tell people why supporting LGBTQ people is important to me. Excellent discussion.