STEVE & BARB YOUNG

Steve Young is a well-known professional athlete who played 15 seasons in the NFL after playing college football at Brigham Young University.  He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1992 and 1994 and was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX.  He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

Barb Young graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business from Arizona State University.  She has traveled and worked in various countries throughout Europe before she met and married Steve.  The Youngs live in California with their four children.

 

Steve and Barb Young operate the Forever Young Foundation, a non-profit “focused on passing on hope and resources for the development, strength, and education of children.”  In addition to their focus on children’s charities, the Youngs are committed to bringing increased love, understanding, and respect to the LGBT community. 

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BEN SCHILATY

Ben Schilaty was raised in the Seattle area where he was voted "most spirited" student in his high school. He served a mission in Chihuahua, Mexico and has two degrees from BYU. Ben moved to Tucson in 2012 to attend graduate school at the University of Arizona where he also works as a Spanish teacher. When he's not working, Ben loves hiking among saguaros, traveling to new places, reading a good novel, chatting with friends, attempting witty puns, and eating Cinnabons. He self-identifies as gay and is completely out to his ward where he serves as Ward Mission Leader. Ben rents a room from two retired lesbians who encourage him to get married more than any bishop ever has. Despite their encouragement to find a boyfriend Ben is 100% single and plans to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

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WALT WOOD

Walt Wood is a general contractor specializing in upscale custom home design and building.  He is on the board of directors of the East Valley Luxury Home Builders Association.  Walt is a former bishop and is currently a member of a stake presidency in Mesa, Arizona.  Walt is married to his high school sweetheart Lori Peterson Wood and together they have 6 children and 21 grandchildren.

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JENA PETERSON

Jena Peterson is happily married to the loving and ever patient Todd Peterson and together they have three children. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is enjoying her kids while they are young. In her spare time Jena owns her own practice as a life coach, primarily working with LGBT individuals and their families. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human services. Her past experience includes teaching high school, EFY counselor, softball coach, motivational speaker, and facilitator for empowering teen spirit programs. She also served a mission in New Zealand where she developed a deep love for the people and the New Zealand culture.

 

Jena loves to laugh, play, and find joy in life. She loves to snowboard, wakeboard and water ski, play basketball and softball. She also loves spending time with family and friends. Through her life experiences, serving a mission, and personal studies, Jena has gained a great love for the Savior and His Atonement. She exudes happiness and love in all that she does, especially in the LGBT community. She recently came out publicly in hopes that her love and story can influence and change lives.  Jena understands who she is in God’s plan, has accepted her sexual orientation as a gift, and looks forward to a happy life as a gay member of the church.

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Q & A PANEL

Trevor Cook / Augustus Crosby / Michael Klein / Jamison Manwaring / Amy Taliaferro / Kristin Tifft / Lori Wood