Welcome back to a very special bonus episode of IFQT! Earlier this season, we heard from queer youth in Utah about what it’s like to navigate faith and queer identity within the LDS Mormon community. To continue that conversation, we’re sharing an episode from our friend Persis Abraham’s podcast Room For Us, featuring therapist and theologian Ann Russo. Ann incorporates a Master’s in Theology into her social work practice to help people heal from religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about her own experiences with faith, growing up in a queer household, attending an ex-gay conference, and AMR, the evidence-based approach she’s developed to overcome religious trauma.

This interview with Ann was originally published on July 17, 2025 by our friend Persis Abraham on her podcast, Room For Us. With permission from Persis, we are excited to share this impactful episode with our listeners. Hosted by Hannie Saba.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS:

Please note that some resources may contain triggering content and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of, or the definitions used by, The Future Perfect Project.

⏱️ TIME STAMPS:

0:48 Host, Hannie welcome

3:19 Persis introduces Ann Russo

4:31 Growing up in queer 80s household

15:59 Common queer mental health challenges

18:30 Did Ann grow up religious?

20:00 Attending queer conversion conference

35:00 Trauma informed care

41:16 Training professionals on queer inclusion

46:48 Religious institutional harm

51:16 Taking care of yourself

54:30 Advice to Ann’s younger self

56:28 Message to queer folks feeling isolated

58:00 Outro, credits & gratitude

📝 RESOURCES/SHOW NOTES:

Visit our site for full show notes on local queer info, history, and additional resources mentioned in this episode → https://thefutureperfectproject.org/podcast

We want to hear from you! Send a voice note to our online voice message box →IFQT! Speakpipe - http://speakpipe.com/ifqt

💬 TRANSCRIPT: https://share.descript.com/view/zuwFGyGZBxy

🚨 CRISIS RESOURCES:

If you or a young person you know between the ages of 13-24 is currently in crisis, check out thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQIA+ specific support through text and chat, or call 1-866-488-7386

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