John Berndt
Raised in a devout Mormon family, John Berndt spent his teenage years balancing the expectations of his faith with a growing understanding of his sexuality. After serving a two year LDS mission in South Africa, hoping his attraction to men would disappear, John returned home knowing that part of himself had not changed. He eventually stepped away from the church, came out to his parents, and began building a life on his own terms. Along the way, he pursued higher education, became a family therapist, and found a lasting relationship with his partner, Jeff. Drawing from both his personal experiences and professional background, John also reflects on the fear, resistance to change, and societal norms that can fuel opposition to LGBTQ rights.