RHOSLC’s Heather Gay explores ‘gay Mormon cuddle parties’ on Surviving Mormonism
Heather Gay’s ‘Surviving Mormonism’ uncovers the dark history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Getty)
Heather Gay's 'Surviving Mormonism' uncovers the dark history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Getty)
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) star Heather Gay explores “gay Mormon cuddle parties” as part of her new docuseries Surviving Mormonism.
The limited three-part series, which premiered on Tuesday night (11 November) in the US, aims to uncover the dark history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In a preview from the first episode of the series shared by Bravo, Gay speaks with gay former Mormon David Matheson, about a rumours of so-called “gay Mormon cuddle parties” at gay conversion therapy retreats.
‘It’s kind of like letting the cat smell the salmon’
“I heard you could hug, but for no longer than a minute,” Gay, 51, shares. Matheson responds, “more like 10, 15 minutes.”
“The cuddling, the touch, the holding, some of it was written into the programme,” he shared, before the pair discussed how the concept stemmed from the idea that gay men need “male touch,” but that it was offered “within God’s rules”.
Shining light on every dark truth. The first episode of the 3-part limited series Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay premieres tonight on Bravo, with all episodes streaming tomorrow on @peacock. pic.twitter.com/RUAVqS18gO
— Bravo (@BravoTV) November 11, 2025
“The idea was that holding was OK, but not holding in a partnership, and not holding if it’s going to get sexual. It’s kind of like letting the cat smell the salmon, and then putting it away in the cupboard,” he said of the experience.
He added: “On one hand the recognition of truth, while at the same time we’re in denial of that same truth.”
As part of the series, Gay will speak to Matheson, who has been described as the “Godfather of conversion therapy”, about the harmful teachings he once practiced.
So-called conversion therapy is the medically discredited attempt to forcefully change one’s sexuality or gender identity, often through traumatic psychological torture. It is impossible to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity.
Gay has been vocal about her decision to distance herself from the Mormon Church, particularly in her memoir “Bad Mormon”, which she published in 2023.
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