My friend and fellow SHAFTer Jack was recently interviewed for the “I am an ex-Mormon” video series. In his interview, he discusses his experiences as a bisexual woman in the LDS Church and his life now as a transgender individual.
Jack, you’re an incredibly courageous person. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story! I regret not having gotten to know you better while at USU.
5 thoughts on “My name is Jack, and I’m an ex-Mormon”
Compelling and powerful story, Jack. The look of pure joy on your face when you describe how much better your life is now is really inspiring. So glad that you’ve found a way to be happy and comfortable with who you are. So sad that not wanting to kill yourself was an exceptional feeling – nobody should have to feel like that for any reason.
Thanks for sharing this story. I met Jack once and he is just an awesome person filled with light. It’s sad to hear about the social issues resulting from mistreatment by LDS members, and I think that members and non-members alike need to hear these stories to put a human face to the issues.
What an amazing story. Jack was actually in my Women and Gender Studies class, and I always loved listening to what he had to say. Truly an inspiring person. Thank you for sharing!
Looks like Jack has made a lot of impact
I worked for University Housing and met him before he started his transition. Thanks for teaching me and so many others that it’s ok to seek happiness in your own skin rather than listen to the lies about who you should be. Glad to see you so happy
Jack,
Like you, I grew up Mormon and thought I loved it. The idea of being “right” and a member of “the one and only true and living Church on the face of the whole earth with which [God] is pleased” gave me a sort of confidence and high. But I could never shake the awareness of what that institutionalized arrogance did to others who were not “like us”. They were chronically ostracized, marginalized, and often demonized. It made me sick to see people being treated this way, and it still does.
I have left Mormonism and embraced the perspective that Jesus called “the poor (Ptochos) in spirit” (spiritual poverty): atheism. I am the most spiritually impoverished individual I know, completely lacking any belief in god, supernatural (spiritual) things, or abstract religious pretense. And I admire your authenticity. Thank you for sharing your “testimony”.
Compelling and powerful story, Jack. The look of pure joy on your face when you describe how much better your life is now is really inspiring. So glad that you’ve found a way to be happy and comfortable with who you are. So sad that not wanting to kill yourself was an exceptional feeling – nobody should have to feel like that for any reason.
Thanks for sharing this story. I met Jack once and he is just an awesome person filled with light. It’s sad to hear about the social issues resulting from mistreatment by LDS members, and I think that members and non-members alike need to hear these stories to put a human face to the issues.
What an amazing story. Jack was actually in my Women and Gender Studies class, and I always loved listening to what he had to say. Truly an inspiring person. Thank you for sharing!
Looks like Jack has made a lot of impact
I worked for University Housing and met him before he started his transition. Thanks for teaching me and so many others that it’s ok to seek happiness in your own skin rather than listen to the lies about who you should be. Glad to see you so happy
Jon,
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Jack,
Like you, I grew up Mormon and thought I loved it. The idea of being “right” and a member of “the one and only true and living Church on the face of the whole earth with which [God] is pleased” gave me a sort of confidence and high. But I could never shake the awareness of what that institutionalized arrogance did to others who were not “like us”. They were chronically ostracized, marginalized, and often demonized. It made me sick to see people being treated this way, and it still does.
I have left Mormonism and embraced the perspective that Jesus called “the poor (Ptochos) in spirit” (spiritual poverty): atheism. I am the most spiritually impoverished individual I know, completely lacking any belief in god, supernatural (spiritual) things, or abstract religious pretense. And I admire your authenticity. Thank you for sharing your “testimony”.