Closeted: My Life as a Gay BYU Student

by Jonathan Alder

349 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2025

About the author

Jonathan Alder is a Utah-based, small-press author and LGBTQ+ activist. His latest book, Closeted: My Life as a Gay BYU Student, offers an approachable and sympathetic view of the complexities of navigating a religious education as a queer student. The memoir candidly explores issues of mental health, abuse, self-acceptance, and family relationships during periods of transition. Alder graduated from Utah State University two years after leaving BYU and currently works as a full-time data analyst while pursuing his passion for writing and publishing. Since the release of Closeted, Alder has been featured on ABC4 News and spoken on various podcasts, raising awareness for mental health in the queer community. Alder resides in Utah with his husband and dog and continues to inspire others with his powerful story and advocacy efforts.