Coming out to your religious family is hard. Going to conversion therapy and then not speaking to them for 10 years is even harder.

Rod Jones, one part of the famous Australian Amazing Race duo Tim & Rod, came out to his family in high school. He was raised in a staunch Christian environment, where being gay was a sin that landed you in Hell, so it wasn't a complete shock that he was sent to conversation therapy. 

But when therapy didn't work, Rod had to come out again years later at 21. This time, when his parents didn’t accept him again, he cut them off for the next decade.

In this episode, Rod talks with host Sean Szeps about the steps he took to try and convince himself (and others) that he was straight, his religious upbringing, his nightly prayers and self-harm, meeting his husband Tim and how his family has built a respectful relationship in spite of everything they've been through together.

If this episode brought up any feelings for you or you want more information, these resources may help you:

QLife: Call 1800 184 527 for a free phone service every day from 3pm – midnight. Visit their website au.mimecast.com/s/yVydCr81gOcnM45lSQ0VBB?domain=qlife.org.au">www.qlife.org.au for a free webchat

Minus18: Australia’s LGBTQIA+ charity. Follow them on social @minus18youth or visit their website on au.mimecast.com/s/KnRgCvl1mVuL1rDziwuAeD?domain=minus18.org.au">www.minus18.org.au for resources, events and training for your school or workplace

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 for 24-hour crisis support

If you want to be a part of the Come Out Wherever You Are community, you can follow us on Instagram:

@comeoutwhereveryouare

@seanszeps

@rodsattlerjones & @timandrod

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