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Parallel to the LDS Church’s shifting position regarding homosexuality, there have been new crops of faithful gay public figures who are held up by the church as role models on how to be a faithful gay member of the church. As the LDS Church has softened its stances and opened the window for “righteous celibacy,” gay public figures in mixed-orientation marriages have lost popularity and a more nuanced breed of celibate role models has emerged E.g. Charlie Bird and Ben Schilatty. In this episode we discuss how these public figures enable the perpetuation of harmful church rhetoric and spiritual trauma towards the LGBTQ community, and explore some possible solutions that could help ignite positive change in the church. Show notes: Mormon Stories' interview with Gerardo Sumano Mormon Stories' interview with Kyle Ashworth Tyler's review of “Without the Mask” “Without the Mask: Coming Out and into God’s Light” by Charlie Bird "Coming Out Mormon: An Examination of Religious Orientation, Spiritual Trauma, and PTSD