754: Jen Parkinson - Living in a Mixed-Orientation and a Mixed-Faith Marriage Pt. 1

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including:

*Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary

*Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her

*Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation

*Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame

*The experience of seeking a sealing cancellation and how it made her relive the nightmare of her divorce

*Dating and marrying her current husband

*Working for BYU-Idaho and the gender disparity she observed

*Her husband’s faith transition and her reaction to it by “quintupling down” on her beliefs

*How leaving her job at BYU gave her the freedom to learn and question

*Her own faith transition and hope for the future