Stay in the Room: How a Gay Son and a Mormon Father Found Themselves and Each Other

by Jeff McLean, Michael McLean, Brad M. Reedy

Jeff McLean grew up believing in a God who could do anything—love anyone, forgive anything. Anyone, that is, except him. Because Jeff is gay.

Stay in the Room tells the true story of a boy raised in Heber City, Utah, in the shadow of Mormonism and the rising AIDS crisis of the 1980s. The son of Michael McLean—Mormonism’s answer to Billy Joel—Jeff sang his father’s songs on stages nationwide. But behind the curtain, he struggled to reconcile his faith with his identity.

After serving a Mormon mission, entering a brief marriage to his husband, and battling an addiction to crystal meth, Jeff finally found solid ground—and the courage to come home. But before healing could begin, he had to confront the two people he feared had lost him for his parents.

Told through three voices, Stay in the Room is a moving, multi-perspective memoir. Jeff shares how he discovered a life where he could be fully himself and still feel the love of God. Michael recounts how the Spirit led him to stay present through his son’s pain, refusing to let go. And therapist Dr. Brad Reedy offers powerful insight for families navigating the tension between faith, identity, and unconditional love.

This is a story about showing up, holding space, and choosing love—especially when it’s hard.

 

Genres: Religion

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Shepherd]

I'm not sure what to rate this--I don't like rating someone's personal story. It wasn't the most well-written book and towards the end, I stopped reading the therapist's inserts. I was intrigued by this book because I love The Forgotten Carols and Michael McLean, and also because I have my own issues with the church and wanted to see how a child and parent were able to get past that. I would've liked to read a little more from Michael to understand him better, but I think it's amazing they were both so vulnerable in sharing what they did. And I loved how they both got to a place of love in the end--by listening to each other--and are able to support and respect each other despite their different paths.

[Nate Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about finding love for ourselves, for family, and for the people who walk alongside us. Reading it made me want to do a better job of truly knowing those close to me by understanding how they are feeling and how they are doing. It reminded me how important it is to be a safe space where others feel seen, heard, and supported. Thank you, Jeff and Michael, for your vulnerability and honesty in sharing your story.

[Bradeigh Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and life-affirming

This is a love story - but not necessarily the romantic kind. It’s a story of self-love, finding the divine within, and family love. Reading this made me want to be a better parent and friend by truly seeing the people around me for who they are. Thank you to Jeff and Michael for sharing such personal parts of your lives.

[Whitney Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the stories of Jeff and Michael. I ended skipping a lot of the therapist's notes and questions. I think his insights were good, but I just wanted the story.