How can I help my LGBTQ+ friends who are in pain because they feel like they don’t belong in the LDS Church?

Ask Dr. Julie Hanks

In this episode I talk with Ben Schilaty and answer the question “How can I help my LGBTQ+ friends who are in pain because they feel like they don’t belong in the LDS Church?” Ben’s question stems from his own experience of being a gay member of the LDS Church and from seeing loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community struggle to feel like they have a place in the Church.

Ben and I talk about what he does now to try and help his friends. He shares that he’s a great listener, but that sometimes it’s hard to do so without taking on their feelings himself or explaining those feelings away. We talk about trusting others to find the answers to their own problems, how pride sometimes gets in the way of being a good listener, how to let ourselves feel difficult feelings, and more.

Ben is a fellow therapist, podcast host, author, and Instagram personality. You can keep up with him in the following places:

• Questions from the Closet podcast
• Instagram @benschilaty

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