Bad Mormon: A Memoir

by Heather Gay

The beliefs aren’t reinforced by strangers, they’re reinforced by the people who love you most. And it’s in that moment that you don’t really have a choice. You believe. You fall in line. You commit.

For most of my life I found that concept to be unbelievably romantic and noble and safe. I thought being cherished and protected was better than being respected and heard. But when I actually had to live this way, the reality of being just a helpmeet was much different in practice than it was in theory.

There are still a few tricks I can learn from this garbage whore.

I fucking love the housewives

The obscure villa on the Mediterranean she visited while yachting: “Marseille? I love that. You served your mission there? Amazing. I love that.”

I can hear Barlow's voice

You don’t even know you look inbred.

LMAO

By the time we got to 1 OAK, Jen had become the Pied Piper of the Meatpacking District.

When you can’t be Eve, it feels good to be the snake every once in a while.

In a culture that believes perfection is attainable, we often internalize the pain of falling short. When you’re instilled with the idea that your worth is directly related to your obedience, it’s easy to feel small. After all, fetters and shackles aren’t that different.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and Andy Cohen. Amen.