When LDS Apostle Jeffrey Holland Calls You Out: BYU Valedictorian Matt Easton - Mormon Stories 1470

In April of 2019 Brigham Young University valedictorian Matt Easton came out as a faithful gay Mormon during his valedictorian address, which was pre-approved by the LDS Church. Matt's speech received very positive national media attention, including an appearance on the Ellen Show. Matt is currently attending U.C. Berkeley as a Political Science Ph.D. student. Last week, Mormon apostle Jeffrey R. Holland publicly "called out" Matt Easton, accusing him of "commandeering" the 2019 graduation ceremony. His exact words were: "If a student commandeers a graduation podium intended to represent everyone getting diplomas in order to announce his personal sexual orientation, what might another speaker feel free to announce the next year until eventually anything goes? What might commencement come to mean — or not mean — if we push individual license over institutional dignity for very long? Do we simply end up with more divisiveness in our culture than we already have? And we already have too much everywhere." Please join us on August 29, 2021 at 1:30pm Utah time as Matt Easton shares with us his Mormon story, and responds to Elder Holland's irresponsible attacks.
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Matt’s BYU valedictorian speech:    • BYU 2019 FHSS Valedictorian Speech  

Elder Holland’s talk:
   • Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Urges BYU to Embr...  

Matt’s response to Holland in Trib: https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commen...

Donate to Out Foundation for queer BYU students!
https://www.theout.foundation/

Latter Gay Stories: https://lattergaystories.org/

On the Record PDF - On the Record | A Chronology of LGBTQ+ Messaging: https://lattergaystories.org/record/

Ellen show appearance:
   • Ellen Meets Inspiring Mormon Valedictorian  

BYU Pride: https://www.instagram.com/byupride/?h...

Encircle: https://encircletogether.org/

BYUQ: https://www.instagram.com/byuq2024/?h...

Color the Campus: https://www.instagram.com/colorthecam...

Mama Dragons: https://www.mamadragons.org/


00:00 Introducing Matt and Kyle’s work on Latter Gay Stories Podcast
12:28 Matt’s Mormon stories begins
20:21 Developing scrupulously around gayness
27:40 Dating, trying to hide gayness, coming out to bishop
35:02 Serving his mission, sexual attraction increases, gets blessing
46:24 Choosing to go to BYU, feeling alone
51:08 Harry Fisher taking his own life at BYU Matt’s freshmen year
55:22 Why queer Mormons/BYU students have suicidal ideation
1:01:43 Trip to Korea, kissing a boy, bargaining with God
1:09:00 Matt coming out to his Aunt, BYU therapy for SSA
1:17:17 Matt’s cousin making him feel safe enough to come out
1:27:30 Dating men at BYU in secret, honor code
1:39:50 Finding other gay men at BYU
1:43:22 Breaking the honor code, probation
1:53:26 Senior year at BYU, choosing to come out in his valedictorian speech
2:02:14 What is the downside vs upside?
2:05:42 Going viral for saying he was “a gay son of God” in speech
2:09:44 Being on the Ellen Show, facing criticism, imposter syndrome
2:15:25 Positive feedback from BYU and church leaders
2:22:29 Faith transition, people looking to him, coming out to parents as non-believer
2:31:00 First hearing about Holland’s talk
2:34:41 Analysis of Holland’s talk
2:49:02 Hearing Elder Holland’s disdain for him previously, positive reception
2:58:00 Professors leaving BYU
3:07:58 Timing of speech, feeling tokenized, boogie man
3:11:56 Matt's speech felt like a threat to LDS, supporting "the gay agenda"
3:17:09 BYU students fearing for their safety
3:20:22 Matt’s message of love to the LGBTQ students at BYU, resources

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