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Photo: Heather Gay in September 2022; via Wikipedia.
In a new documentary series, one of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” will take on, arguably, Utah’s most powerful institution: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The first episode of Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay, a three-part docuseries featuring Gay, will air Tuesday, Nov. 11, following that week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, according to Bravo.
In a press release, Bravo stated that Gay “uncovers the dark history” of the church through interviews with “abuse survivors, ex-Mormons and former LDS church leaders.”
Gay, who has previously detailed her Latter-day Saint upbringing on Real Housewives and in her memoirs Bad Mormon and Good Time Girl, explores her disillusionment with the faith in the series. Bravo said the goal is to “bring awareness and enact change.”
The first episode features Gay’s conversation with David Matheson, a former Latter-day Saint who was once a prominent advocate for “conversion therapy.” Matheson came out as gay in 2019.
In the second episode, Gay reconnects with an old friend named Ben, whom she had once distanced herself from due to his criticism of the church. Ben recounts that he was abused, a story that, Bravo claims, “rocks [Gay] to her core.” Gay also interviews others who describe experiencing abuse and a former Latter-day Saint bishop who shares his own experiences within the church.
The final episode focuses on two sisters who allege “indescribable” abuse by their father. They claim their bishop and church leaders ignored them when they reported it. By the end of the series, Bravo said, “Heather decides it’s time to take action.”
The first episode airs at 9:15 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, corresponding to either 7:15 or 10:15 p.m. Mountain time depending on local service providers. It will stream the following day, Nov. 12, on Peacock, along with the second and third episodes.
LDS Church Faces Growing Legal Challenges
The series arrives amid mounting scrutiny of the LDS Church’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. Multiple lawsuits have been filed across the U.S., accusing church leaders and affiliated institutions of shielding perpetrators rather than protecting survivors.
In 2022, a high-profile Arizona case revealed that a bishop had been instructed by church attorneys not to report ongoing abuse to authorities, citing clergy privilege. That case led to a $100 million lawsuit against the church for allegedly allowing years of continued abuse.
In West Virginia, the church agreed to a $250,000 settlement in a class-action suit alleging systemic mishandling of child abuse reports within church-run youth programs. Plaintiffs have also filed similar suits in states including Utah, Idaho, and Oregon, where they claim the church’s centralized reporting hotline primarily serves to protect its reputation rather than victims.
Are You A Survivor of LDS Sexual Abuse?
If you or someone you love is a survivor of sexual abuse within the LDS Church, you are not alone. Learn more about your legal rights and how to take action at SurvivorsRights.com’s LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide.
