GAY AND MORMON: NEON TREES SINGER TYLER GLENN FINDS FREEDOM FROM FEAR
Tyler Glenn slides into a booth at Eva's Bakery in downtown Salt Lake City not far from his apartment, about to squeeze an interview into what's already an action-packed afternoon. On his calendar later is a Facebook live stream, a performance at Equality Utah's annual Allies Dinner and an extended set at the 50 West Club, where the Neon Trees singer will do several songs from "Excommunication," his first solo album, which also comes out this day.
Glenn himself came out two years ago. For a gay Mormon in one of the most prominent bands Utah has ever produced, that action shined a rainbow-hued spotlight upon him. The LDS Church has had a troubled relationship with the gay community, but at that time, Glenn thought he could still make his faith work while living as an openly gay man. He continued to follow the church's teachings and last summer even gave a tour of Temple Square to his then-boyfriend. "He asked me if I really believed it, and I said 'yes,' " Glenn says. "And then my life changed." Read more by clicking here or download the full PDF below. |