Who is Ben Schilaty?
Ben Schilaty works as an Honor Code Administrator and adjunct professor at BYU in Provo, UT. Ben speaks Spanish and Portuguese from his time living abroad in Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, and Portugal. He writes a blog about his experiences as a gay Latter-day Saint at benschilaty.blogspot.com.
Why did Dan Schilaty break up with his “best friend”?
Schilaty told Mormon Land that when he found himself in love with a man at the age of 30, he insisted that they remain “best friends”, and it was “the hardest thing he’s ever done”. As time went on, his “best friend” wanted more from their relationship, and so eventually their friendship ended too.
What happened to Schilaty when he came out to his parents?
However, after Schilaty returned from his mission in Mexico, he realised that he was, in fact, still gay. Two years later, when he came out to his parents over Thanksgiving, he said: “I knew that my parents were going to be loving and kind, and they were.
How did Ben Schilaty join the rowing team?
Ben Schilaty decided he wanted to join the rowing team when he was a freshman in high school. He went down to the boathouse to meet the other 25 guys who were trying out and the coach explained the first drill.
About Us
Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty discuss questions they are commonly asked as gay members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each week they are joined by a guest to talk about a question as it relates to LGBTQ+ topics within the context of faith.
BEN SCHILATY
Welcome to the podcast! I'm an administrator and adjunct professor at Brigham Young University. I'm also a gay Latter-day Saint. I love cacti, puns, Cinnabons, and musicals. And I love talking about LGBTQ issues and trying to be funnier than Charlie. — Ben
CHARLIE BIRD
Glad you are here! I was Cosmo the Cougar at BYU. You may have seen my viral dance videos. I'm currently back at BYU pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work. I’m a gay Latter-day Saint who loves hiking, road trips, and doing backflips.
Who are Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty?
Charlie and Ben are both gay Latter-day Saints as well as authors published by Deseret Book.
When did Ben and Charlie graduate from BYU?
He graduated from BYU in 2018 and is an active LBGTQ advocate, involved with multiple nonprofit LGBTQ organizations nationally and across Utah. We are super grateful to Ben and Charlie for coming on, and learned so much from them.
What is Ben Schilaty's new book?
Ben Schilaty’s new book “A Walk In My Shoes” helps readers understand more about the LGBTQ experience within the Church. (Allison McArthur) Ben Schilaty decided he wanted to join the rowing team when he was a freshman in high school. He went down to the boathouse to meet the other 25 guys who were trying out and the coach explained the first drill.
What does Ben tell readers about Jesus?
Ben tells readers that it is through the power of Jesus Christ and finding his purpose in God that he finds the strength to walk a path that is very difficult and often not talked about. In his book, Ben shares some stories of coming out to his family and friends and how they reacted.
Who is Ben's dad in the boathouse?
No one was allowed to stop until they were so exhausted they couldn’t keep going. Ben’s father, Buzz Schilaty, was waiting outside the boathouse for his son when he saw the coach leaving tryouts to go to a meeting. When Buzz came inside he found his son still rowing.
Who was Ben's first friend?
One of the first people Ben came out to is a longtime friend, Mitch Peterson. Ben said he attributes his activity in the church today to the way Peterson accepted and loved him all those years ago. “I really hope people get a sense of just how complicated and impossible his situation is.
How long did Ben rowing?
When his father asked him to stop, Ben responded that the coach told them not to stop so he wasn’t going to stop. Ben kept rowing for another 20 minutes until his father finally ripped him off of the machine. “It is this story that shows everyone who Ben is.
Do celebs have LGBT siblings?
Celebs you didn’t know have an LGBT sibling. The stars who went gay for pay. LGBT+ students celebrated by kissing friends and partners of the same gender in various places around campus, but a few days later the university issued a statement saying there had been some “miscommunication”.
Is Schilaty still gay?
However, after Schilaty returned from his mission in Mexico, he realised that he was, in fact, still gay. Two years later, when he came out to his parents over Thanksgiving, he said: “I knew that my parents were going to be loving and kind, and they were. “They just responded so well….
