Drumroll, Please

I’m excited to announce the upcoming spring release of Tender Leaves of Hope: Finding Belonging as LGBTQ Latter-day Saint Women. Based on my experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, this book also reflects the insights and lives of dozens of other women who find themselves at the crossroads of their sexual orientation or identity and their faith. My story is specific to me, but their varied life experiences add greater awareness of the many women of faith among us who are also LGBTQ. I have been humbled and inspired by their stories, and I’m grateful I can help amplify their voices.

My perfect workspace for writing, interviewing, and staring out the window hoping for inspiration.

Almost a year ago, in conversation with Ben Schilaty, he told me we lack a current book from a woman’s perspective as a gay Latter-day Saint. He encouraged me to write it. I dismissed that invitation, until the Lord reinforced it and started open doors and urging me through them. This has been a beautiful year full of spiritual nudges that required a lot of effort (God loves effort, right?). I’m excited to share the results with you in just a few months. My husband, David, has been my cheerleader, therapist, and best friend the whole way.

Tender Leaves of Hope is scheduled for release in April 2021, in time for Pride Month, the North Star conference, and summer beach reading! As I reread the final manuscript I’ll be submitting to the publisher this week, I realize how happy I am to share what I’ve learned I never thought I would talk about my orientation to anyone, much less write a book to everyone, but I have felt the Lord urging me to “open my mouth.” I believe these stories and concepts will offer hope to women who are where I was 10 years ago: deep in denial, but shamed nonetheless by a deep sense of brokenness and fear. I. want them to know they are not alone, that they are deeply loved by God exactly as they are, and that they have an important place in God’s Plan of Salvation.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~

Maya Angelou

Family members will also develop valuable perspective from reading about the experiences and insights of women who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer. Listening is a big step towards increased understanding. When we know better, we do better. I’ve written from my perspective as a gay woman in the Church, and also as a believing mother of a queer daughter who has stepped away from Church engagement. As I have learned how to love her better and support her, I have become a better mother and a better disciple of Christ.

I interviewed transgender men and women, and while I briefly address their reality, I hope one of them will write a future book to fill in the substantial gap in our understanding of the experience of transgender Latter-day Saints.

I’ll share the process of publication and updates as we get closer to the release date (I also will have a discount code I can share with friends who pre-order!). I’ll be doing more writing and speaking in upcoming months, and I hope to continue amplifying other LGBTQ women’s voices through this website. Stay tuned—this ride is getting more thrilling every minute!