RHOSLC's Heather Gay on Leaving the Mormon Church
Heather Gay, 51, known from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after joining the Bravo show in 2020. She discusses her departure in the upcoming three-part Bravo documentary Surviving Mormonism.
Documentary Insight and Spiritual Fulfillment
The Carmel-by-the-Sea, California-born TV personality explained to People that creating the documentary about the church brought her a deep spiritual satisfaction. She said,
“I never thought that being an antagonist to my faith and identity and family and community would feel this empowering and fulfilling, but it does.”
As a Brigham Young University alumna, Gay felt motivated to raise awareness of critical issues relating to the church that she believes deserve public attention.
Support for Survivors and Personal Connection
The docuseries also features interviews with former church members. Gay expressed her admiration for those who opened up to her, stating,
“I feel very, very precious about these survivors, about their willingness to share with me. They're telling a Real Housewife their darkest secrets. That takes a leap of faith, and I feel such a kinship to them.”
Visual Context
The Salt Lake Temple, a prominent feature in Salt Lake City, Utah, serves as a symbolic backdrop to the documentary’s exploration of faith and departure.
Author's summary: Heather Gay found empowerment in challenging her former faith and dedicates herself to shedding light on difficult issues faced by ex-Mormons through a new documentary.