191: David Chappell | He Didn't See A Place for Him at BYU—So He Created One

191: David Chappell | He Didn't See A Place for Him at BYU—So He Created One

David Chappell is a civil engineer, community organizer, and emerging political voice in Utah County. Raised in Arizona in a traditional Latter-day Saint family, David served a mission in Milan, Italy, where exposure to a wider world—and greater diversity—began shaping the questions that would later define his advocacy.

While attending Brigham Young University, David helped co-found the Cougar Pride Center, a grassroots organization dedicated to creating resources, connection, and large-scale events for LGBTQ+ people in Provo and Orem. During that time, he also faced his own personal struggles, including suicidal thoughts as a freshman, experiences that deepened his commitment to making campus and community spaces safer and more supportive for LGBTQ+ students navigating faith and identity.

Today, David continues that work as both an advocate and a builder—applying the same drive he brings to engineering toward strengthening his community. He is now stepping into the political arena, running for office in Utah House District 62 in Provo, with the goal of helping shape a more inclusive and compassionate future for Utah.

In this conversation, David shares his journey through faith, identity, mental health, and public service — and why he believes community care and representation matter now more than ever.

Visit the CougarPrideCenter on Instagram: @CougarPrideCenter

Visit David's campaign: DavidForUtah.com

Jaksot(97)

167: Weston Smith | Gay Mormon Missionary: Survivor

167: Weston Smith | Gay Mormon Missionary: Survivor

Weston Smith came out as gay while his dad was serving as a bishop in the Mormon church. His parents were understanding, but navigating life a gay Mormon teen, trying to better understand your sexuali...

11 Loka 20221h 20min

166: Evan Smith | From Stake Presidency to LGBTQ+ Ally and Beyond

166: Evan Smith | From Stake Presidency to LGBTQ+ Ally and Beyond

Evan Smith met the intersection of sexuality and religion while serving as an LDS Bishop and eventually in a Stake Presidency. It didn't take long before Evan began to better understand the difficult ...

4 Loka 20221h 37min

165: Paul Bird | Finding My Balance As a Gay Mormon

165: Paul Bird | Finding My Balance As a Gay Mormon

For orthodox Christians, especially Latter-day Saints, Paul Bird's life doesn't fit the mold. He admittedly loves the Word of Wisdom, but loathes the Law of Chastity. And that is where is story blosso...

20 Syys 20221h 8min

164: Josh Morris | An Honest Conversation About Being Gay

164: Josh Morris | An Honest Conversation About Being Gay

Josh Morris was raised in a very small, rural Utah community. Living as a closeted gay teen, in a predominately Mormon town leaves a lot to be desired. The community isn't rich with diversity or oppor...

2 Syys 20221h 13min

163: Melinda Hannah | Painting The Faces of Love

163: Melinda Hannah | Painting The Faces of Love

Melinda Hannah is no stranger to pain or trauma. She battled her own traumas while simultaneously watching other's experience their own. Melinda is an artist. She used her talent and brush to paint to...

16 Elo 20221h 11min

162: Colter Wild | Finding My Inner Peace

162: Colter Wild | Finding My Inner Peace

Latter-day leaders have often warned that happiness, truth, and spiritual experiences are only found within the framework of Mormonism—Colter's story defies that narrative. Shortly after coming out to...

19 Heinä 20221h 25min

161: sExcommunication: The Mormon LGBTQ+ Dilemma

161: sExcommunication: The Mormon LGBTQ+ Dilemma

The LatterGayStories podcast has been following over a dozen same-gender couples that are facing excommunication (membership councils) from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their offen...

13 Heinä 20227h 14min

160: The Black Menaces | Televising the Mormon Revolution

160: The Black Menaces | Televising the Mormon Revolution

In less than one year, five students at Brigham Young University have amassed a social media following of nearly 1,000,000 people. The group, calling themselves the Black Menaces, create videos online...

11 Touko 20221h 31min

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