Tyler Glenn is best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum alternative pop band Neon Trees.
Tyler was raised LDS/Mormon in Temecula, California. After discovering a love for music in high school and serving an LDS mission, Tyler moved to Provo, UT with his buddy Chris to form Neon Trees (named after the trees on the In and Out signs). Neon Trees signed with Mercury Records in 2009 and went on to release three successful alternative pop albums: Habits (2010), Picture Show (2012), and Pop Psychology (2014).
Tyler knew he was gay as a child, but struggled as a teen and adult to reconcile his sexuality with his LDS faith. These struggles took Tyler to some sad/dark places, which were only exacerbated by his fame as a pop star. At age 27 (around the release of Picture Show), Tyler seriously contemplated ending his life.
In spite of these struggles, Tyler remained a full and literal believer in the LDS Church. In 2014 Tyler decided that being a closeted gay man was contributing to his suicidality. Consequently he came out as gay to his family, band, friends -- and to the world in Rolling Stone magazine -- prior to the release of Pop Psychology. From this point forward it was Tyler's full intent to find and marry a gay man, and to raise children in the LDS church as a gay married Mormon.
Then, in November of 2015, the LDS church released its new policy branding same-sex married Mormons as immediate apostates, and prohibiting children of same-sex married couples from being baptized. This policy change sent Tyler into a tailspin, ultimately shattering his plans as a believing, gay Mormon.
In this three part interview, we explore:
Part 1: Tyler's early years as a young Mormon struggling with his sexuality.
Part 2: Tyler's ascent (along with Neon Trees) into stardom...and the sadness/despair that followed.
Part 3: Tyler's faith crisis instigated by the LDS policy change, along with his current beliefs/views regarding the LDS Church.
Part 1: [ Ссылка ]
Part 2: [ Ссылка ]
Part 3: [ Ссылка ]
---------------
***We are 100% donor funded! Please click here to donate to keep this content coming!: [ Ссылка ]
---------------
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
03:07 Tyler's Mormon story begins
11:12 His faith & experience with Mormonism
15:27 Finding music as a way to express himself
19:37 Not being allowed to bless the sacrament
23:30 Deciding whether to go on a mission & dealing with being gay
30:03 Still living the Mormon life
31:11 Music career starts picking up
37:00 Meeting Chris Allen
41:12 Deciding to serve a mission, and then start a band
44:00 Sexuality and wanting to serve a mission
47:40 Mission
56:35 Did people think he was gay?
59:10 Some mission stories
1:06:50 Coming home from his mission
1:08:58 Starting to explore his sexuality & compartmentalizing
1:13:02 Moving to Provo & starting a band
1:22:07 Expanding the band
1:31:48 Moving back to California - all band members in different stages of faith
1:34:52 Again compartmentalizing Relationships
1:42:40 It got clear that band members all have a faith crisis
1:45:38 Music experiences in LA & Publishing deal
1:50:38 Getting signed to Mercury
1:53:13 Dating a girl again
1:55:23 Band takes off
1:56:53 Conclusion
#LDS #Mormon #NeonTrees #TylerGlenn #PostMormon #ExMormon #MormonStories
