I’m Mormon and gay, and grew up being really into my faith and my community. I was a big advocate for LGBTQ teens in the church and the bishop tried to excommunicate me for it. That’s when I decided I needed a new faith. The LDS church wasn’t safe for me.
My best friend is Quaker and so I started going to meeting. Quaker meeting was like a light to me.
This is my first time at Spring Lobby Weekend but I’ve been wanting to come for a long time. I was awarded a scholarship for transportation costs. A big thanks to FCNL for that, because I wouldn’t have been able to come without it.
It’s been an amazing experience. I was really excited and very nervous coming here. D.C. is bigger than anywhere I’ve been before. I am super excited to try to make a change. Immigration is something we really need to focus on.
My representative’s history on immigration is checkered. But there is a glimmer of hope so I do think I can make a difference.
Justin is from Sandpoint, ID. He attends Utah Valley University in Orem, UT and majors in psychology. Justine wants to get a masters in social work to work with LGBTQ teens.