175: Jake Shepherd | I Was Unprepared to Come Out

Latter Gay Stories

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

It would take Jake nearly seven years to finally say " I am gay" out loud. In the wake of that coming out experience came shame, personal reflection, and a sexual assault. These factors 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.

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