|
|
|
|
 |
|
Radio Station Interviews Gay Mormon Author
“Let’s help each other through it, rather than hurt each other”
June 2010
Gay Mormon author Johnny Townsend was interviewed by Jeremy Richards for KUOW, a Seattle radio station. Townsend is the author of “Sex among the Saints,” “Mormon Underwear” and other collections of short stories which frequently deal with gay Mormon themes. The 8-minute interview is posted at www.kuow.org/program.php?id=20523.
In the interview, Townsend briefly recounts his coming out and his excommunication from the LDS Church. “For me, it was a matter of learning to think for myself,” says Townsend. “In many religions, and Mormonism is one of those, you’re told to follow... I suddenly had to decide for myself what to do, and think for myself. It was liberating but a little scary.”
“You can use religion to hurt people or can use religion to help people,” says Townsend, who is married and whose husband also comes from an LDS background. “I write about really unnecessary pain. Why do you have to create unnecessary pain in people’s lives?”
“Even under the best of circumstances, life is difficult, so let’s help each other through it, rather than hurt each other.”
Townsend’s recent anthologies include adult sexual themes. To read excerpts and learn more about his books, visit www.JohnnyTownsend.com. For a 2007 Affirmation interview with Townsend, visit www.affirmation.org/books/johnny_townsend.shtml .
|
|
|
© 2010 Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
www.affirmation.org |
|
