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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In this episode of I Tried to Be Straight, Dr. Julia Sadusky—a Catholic psychologist—shares how her work in sexuality, gender, and trauma led her to question beliefs about being gay. She reveals the insights that reshaped her faith perspective and offers ways for faith communities to foster empathy and acceptance.
We can’t believe it’s been a whole year, whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or just recently found us, thank you for listening, supporting, and tuning in each week. It truly means the world to us!
In this special episode, we reflect on what the past year has taught us, dive into the highs and lows of dating, and debate the big question: Can you really be friends after dating?
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Susie and Nate touch base on where there faith journeys are at through the coming out process.
Justin from Empty Chairs joins us to share about his efforts to create community for LGBTQ within the Catholic church. After coming out and realizing he didn't believe being gay was wrong, he started speaking out about the issue and realized there were a lot more like him than he imagined!
https://empty-chairs.org/
We're excited to share this episode with fashion influencer Jonathan Kirby. We had the privilege of sitting down with him in New York to hear his powerful coming-out story. Jonathan is a true example of believing in yourself and betting on your authentic self. Through embracing his unique eye for fashion and spreading positivity, he's built a personal brand that inspires thousands. To follow Jonathan's journey, connect with him on Instagram @_jonathankirby and TikTok @jonathan.kirby for a dose of style and motivation. Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/7jwmTemc5y
Nate & Susie tackle your questions in this episode, including some of the toughest questions after coming out: Should you keep your Christian friends who don’t affirm your sexuality, and how do you know when to come out? In this heartfelt Q&A, they share personal experiences and strategies for navigating relationships with love and authenticity. Plus, they explore how to foster understanding in faith communities while staying true to yourself. Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.gg/7jwmTemc5y
In this heartfelt conversation, Nate and Susie sit down with Al, a former Jehovah’s Witness who lost everything the moment his family and faith community learned he was gay. Disfellowshipped and cut off, Al shares what it felt like to watch the people he loved most simply vanish from his life. But this isn’t just a story about what he lost—it’s also about what he’s created in the aftermath. Al found healing in the kitchen, channeling his roots and international influences into his own micro bakery. Learn more about Al's food at https://www.instagram.com/painpanbakery/ Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.gg/5jVTkdUm
Jane Clementi’s world shattered when she lost her son Tyler to bullying for being gay. She decided she was going on a mission to make sure no other family goes through the same pain, and she started a non-profit to help end bullying. In this episode, Jane shares her journey from grief to activism, why she believes LGBTQ+ kids need to be fully embraced, and how she found her faith again after leaving a church that condemned her son.
Tyler Clementi Foundation: TylerClementi.org
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Colby Martin, author of Unclobber, shares his story of deconstruction and reconstruction on this episode. He then teaches on how to rebuild your faith and pick up the pieces after the very common deconstruction process we go through when coming out.
Find Colby at: https://www.colbymartinonline.com/
Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.gg/7jwmTemc5y
The results of this election took many of us in the LGBTQ community by surprise and have hit a lot of us pretty hard. Brit Barron joins us to talk about how we’re feeling in the aftermath and to share a word of hope. Finally, we discuss how to approach the holidays with family members who have different viewpoints and how to navigate those conversations.
Check Out Brit's books at: https://www.britbarron.com/
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Growing up Conor knew he was different but tried to convince himself he wasn’t. After battling with mental health for years, he finally had to come to terms with the fact that he was gay. Coming out, he believed celibacy was the right choice for his life and his faith. He shares what that journey is like, and discusses why it was still important for him to come out of the closet, even if he still intends to stay single. Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.gg/ZDHCNEQc
