At age 10 Jake was mercilessly bullied, the kids called him “gay” a word he didn’t understand. Using the family’s dialup internet connection Jake turned to Google to better understand the word. A life of pain ensued.

It would take Jake nearly seven years to finally say, "I am gay," out loud. And in the wake of that coming out arose a sexual assault, shame, and depression, all factors that convinced him to retreat back into the closet and further into Mormonism’s seemingly safe protection.

Jake’s story is one of healing, rising above the pain, setting religion aside, and finding strength and hope in the path ahead.

#LatterGayStories #Mormonism #ComingOut #Healing