Gay Neon Trees singer: Mormon leaders say terrible things, but I’m not throwing away my faith

Apr 26 2014
Written by Nick Duffy

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Neon Trees singer Tyler Glenn has said he still considers himself a Mormon after coming out, despite the ‘terrible’ things that have been said by some of the church leaders.

The Utah-based singer, who has performed with the band for nearly 10 years, came out as gay last month.

Mormon leaders reaffirmed at their Spring conference that God will ‘always be opposed’ to same-sex marriage.

However, a pro-gay movement is growing within the church, and just days later, two former missionaries defied the teaching to star in a TV advert endorsing same-sex marriage.

Glenn said in an interview with Associated Press: “I consider myself Mormon, I believe in Mormonism, I believe in the Book of Mormon and I try to follow the teachings.

“It’s terrible some of the things that have been said by church leaders, but I also feel like there’s a lot of strides that have been made.

“I was surprised at how many Mormon church leaders wrote me messages saying, ‘this is great that you’re doing this’. That really was cool.

“I don’t always attend church on Sunday, but I wasn’t going to throw away my faith.

“On the level of being a role model for kids or LGBT Mormon youth, I’m totally down because I come from that background and I would be able to speak to them honestly.”

The singer, who was promoting his new album Pop Psychology, said he is looking to settle down with someone, and struggling with his dislike of gay apps

He said: “What do I do?’ I hate gay apps. I don’t know if I should embrace them or not.

“I just don’t want to hook up, I want to find someone. I also want to have love.”