From Growing up Gay in The Church to Becoming Myself: A Journey Through Music, Faith, Fear, and Finding Identity

In this powerful Season 4 kickoff of The Skittle Squad Podcast, we sit down for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation about faith, identity, and the struggle to belong.The episode follows the guest’s emotional journey through church music, Christian college life, and an unforgettable moment performing with Dolly Parton. But beneath the achievements lies a complicated story of expectation, suppression, and a semester-long battle against accusations about their sexuality.As they open up about trying desperately to conform, fighting who they were, and ultimately being asked not to return to school, the discussion unpacks what so many LGBTQ+ people experience in religious spaces the tension between faith, identity, and acceptance. This episode explores:- Growing up in church music and finding passion in worship - Navigating Christian college culture and pressure to conform - Struggles with sexuality and the fear of being “found out” - How accusations and shame shaped their mental health - Touring and performing with Dolly Parton - What it means to reclaim your identity after being silencedIt’s a heartfelt and eye-opening start to Season 4 one that speaks to resilience, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to step into who you truly are.