Welcome to the I Tried to Be Straight Podcast! We both grew up in Christian culture where being gay wasn't acceptable. After years of struggling with our sexual...
Fighting to Give LGBTQ a Place in The Catholic Church
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/
--------
58:50
My Life Started When I Came Out - Fashion Influencer Jonathan Kirby
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
--------
47:20
I Found Out I'm Gay But I've Been Married 10 Years. What Should I Do?
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
--------
41:36
They Found Out I Was Gay - In That Instant, I Lost Everyone
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
--------
53:01
Her Son’s Death Sparked a Movement Against Homophobia - Jane Clementi's Story
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
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
Welcome to the I Tried to Be Straight Podcast! We both grew up in Christian culture where being gay wasn't acceptable. After years of struggling with our sexualities, we both recently came out of the closet. We're here to unpack those journeys, and learn more about the struggle of accepting your sexuality in a culture where it's not ok to be gay. We're entering into the stories of others, digging into theology, learning more about gay culture, and trying to give you a little insight into just how hard it is to try to be straight.
Colombia