Episode Summary
Growing up as the youngest of five, Luke’s story weaves together familial complexity, faith, and identity. From the expansive landscapes of Canada to the conservative campus of Liberty University, his journey reflects the tension between personal truth and evangelical expectation. At Liberty, Luke grappled with teachings that clashed with his emerging understanding of his sexuality, an internal battle shaped by shame, fear, and a longing to belong.
This episode explores the emotional cost of conversion therapy and the isolating culture often found in high-control religious environments. Through vulnerable storytelling, Luke offers an honest account of his years at Liberty, revealing the subtle and overt ways the institution shaped his sense of self. From awkward roommate encounters to faith-driven self-denial, these moments paint a picture of the emotional toll of trying to fit into a mould that was never made for him.
But Luke’s journey didn’t end in silence. Now living freely and embracing who he is, Luke channels his experiences, from Liberty and beyond into advocacy and connection. His voice reminds us of the power of storytelling and the importance of queer community. This conversation is for anyone seeking healing after institutions like Liberty left their mark.
Who Is Lucas?
Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga and was formerly the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary. A survivor of conversion therapy, he is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy.
He is also the author of At Home with the Holocaust: Postmemory, Domestic Space, and Second-Generation Holocaust Narratives, which received the Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award. His public-facing writing has appeared in The Advocate, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and Religion Dispatches, among other venues.
Connect With Us
- Find more about Lucas here – https://utschools.academia.edu/LucasWilson
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- You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
- To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
- Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
- Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective