Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth with r/exmormon

The journey toward acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ youth often involves building bridges between diverse communities. One of the most impactful collaborations in Utah’s recent history has been the partnership between OUTreach Resource Centers and the r/exmormon online community, which has created vital resources for LGBTQ+ youth navigating religious transitions and family challenges.

This collaboration emerged from a shared commitment to supporting individuals facing rejection from their families and communities, particularly in the context of religious differences. The partnership has demonstrated how online communities can translate digital connections into real-world support systems that save lives and create pathways to healing.

Digital Communities Creating Real-World Impact

The r/exmormon subreddit has grown into one of Reddit’s most active support communities, with hundreds of thousands of members worldwide sharing resources, personal stories, and mutual aid. When attorney Mark Naugle (known as “chubs_gato” on the platform) offered pro bono assistance with church resignation paperwork in 2015, the community’s response was overwhelming.

This outpouring revealed the deep need for practical support services for individuals navigating religious transitions, particularly LGBTQ+ youth who often face additional layers of rejection. The connection between religious disaffiliation and LGBTQ+ youth homelessness became increasingly apparent through the stories shared on the platform.

Recognizing this intersection, community members began organizing support efforts specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, with many directing donations and volunteer hours toward OUTreach Resource Centers. This grassroots mobilization demonstrated how online communities could channel their collective resources toward addressing urgent social needs.

Addressing the Crisis of LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness

Utah has faced a disproportionate crisis of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, with studies indicating that up to 40% of homeless youth in the state identify as LGBTQ+. This crisis is often exacerbated by religious conflicts within families, making the collaboration between OUTreach and the r/exmormon community particularly relevant to addressing root causes.

Through this partnership, OUTreach was able to expand its Safe and Sound Host Home Program, which provides emergency housing for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing family rejection. Community members from r/exmormon volunteered as host homes, mentors, and resource providers, creating a comprehensive support network for youth in crisis.

The partnership also facilitated the development of specialized resources for youth navigating both religious transitions and LGBTQ+ identity development. These resources acknowledged the complex intersection of faith, family, and identity that many young people in Utah must navigate.

Legal Resources and Advocacy

One of the most significant contributions of this partnership has been the provision of free legal resources for LGBTQ+ youth facing discrimination or family rejection. Volunteer attorneys from the r/exmormon community offered pro bono services ranging from name change petitions to emancipation proceedings for minors in unsafe home situations.

These legal resources proved essential for youth seeking to establish independence and safety, particularly those who had been rejected by their families due to their LGBTQ+ identity. By removing financial barriers to legal representation, the partnership ensured that vulnerable youth could access the protections they were entitled to under the law.

Beyond individual cases, this collaboration supported broader advocacy efforts for policy changes to protect LGBTQ+ youth. Community members participated in legislative testimony, public education campaigns, and media advocacy to raise awareness about the specific challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth in religious communities.

Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention

The partnership between OUTreach and the r/exmormon community placed particular emphasis on mental health support and suicide prevention, responding to alarming rates of suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth in Utah. Community members with mental health credentials volunteered their professional services, while others contributed to funding specialized counseling programs.

These efforts included the development of support groups specifically for youth navigating religious transitions alongside LGBTQ+ identity development. These groups provided safe spaces for processing complex emotions and building resilience through peer support and professional guidance.

The collaboration also supported the creation of crisis intervention resources, including specialized training for volunteers in suicide prevention techniques relevant to LGBTQ+ youth from religious backgrounds. These resources have been credited with saving numerous lives during acute crisis situations.

Building Inclusive Communities

Beyond addressing immediate crises, the partnership between OUTreach and the r/exmormon community focused on building more inclusive communities where LGBTQ+ youth could thrive. This work included educational initiatives for families, schools, and community organizations about supporting LGBTQ+ youth through religious transitions.

Community members developed resources for parents struggling to reconcile religious beliefs with supporting their LGBTQ+ children, offering compassionate guidance that acknowledged the complexity of these situations. These resources helped prevent family rejection in many cases, allowing youth to maintain vital family connections while being affirmed in their identities.

The partnership also supported the development of social events and community gatherings where LGBTQ+ youth could build connections with supportive adults and peers. These events created essential social support networks for youth who often experienced isolation in their schools and neighborhoods.

The Power of Community Mobilization

The collaboration between OUTreach and the r/exmormon community demonstrates the remarkable impact that can occur when online communities mobilize around shared values and concerns. What began as digital connections transformed into a robust network of real-world support that has changed countless lives.

This model of community mobilization has inspired similar efforts across the country, with online support groups increasingly partnering with local service organizations to address the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. The success of this approach lies in its ability to rapidly connect resources with needs through decentralized networks of committed individuals.

For those interested in supporting similar community-building efforts, learning more about OUTreach’s history can provide valuable insights into effective collaboration models.

Organizations like Equality Utah continue the important work of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and providing resources for youth and families throughout the state.