Join the Party: Gather for Youth is Queer Joy! Lift+Love Podcast Episode 91
Episode hosts Darice Auston & Allison Dayton welcome guests David Smurthwaite and Brit Mardis of the Gather for Youth GFY program to talk about the upcoming Gather for Youth program during the 4th annual Gather Conference in Provo, Utah this November 13-14, 2026.
What happens when LGBTQ Latter-day Saint teens get two days to just be themselves? Brit Mardis and David Smurthwaite from the Gather for Youth (GFY) program, share what’s planned for this year’s program for teens (ages 14 through graduating seniors). They talk about small-group “parties” led by LGBTQ young single adults, karaoke, crafts and swag, a new decompression room, and the core message behind it all: God doesn’t love you in spite of who you are. He loves you, including who you are. Whether you’re a teen (LGBTQ+, ally/friend, relative, or still figuring things out) or a parent with a teen - this episode shows what to expect and why GFY matters.
In this episode: 00:00 Gather Conference intro 00:45 Meet David and Brit 01:45 Why Gather for Youth exists 06:45 What’s on the schedule this year 08:45 How parties are organized 10:15 Why we call them “parties” 11:00 Near-peer party leaders 12:30 Allies and questioning youth are welcome 15:15 “God loves you, including this part of you” 17:15 Queer joy and the brilliance of LGBTQ youth 20:30 Leader training, safety, and the decompression room 22:15 The swag 24:00 Is GFY trying to replace church? 30:45 “I’ve never felt so seen” 32:00 How to register
Gather Conference 2026 📅 November 13–14 📍 Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, Utah 🎟️ Register at liftandlove.org.
Thanks to a generous donor, youth tickets are priced permanently LOW (and are actually below the value of the youth swag bag!). Lunch is provided for youth attendees on Friday and Saturday. Youth are also invited to the Opening Social on Thursday Oct 12th and the main Gather Conference After-Hours activities on Friday and Saturday. See website for details! Can't attend both days? One-day tickets are available!
RESOURCES & MENTIONS
Gather Conference — November 13–14, 2026, Provo, Utah. Registration open now at www.liftandlove.org/gather
Learn more about Gather for Youth (Gather Conference Youth Program) on our page www.liftandlove.org/youth
Registration scholarships are available for youth and adults: www.liftandlove.org/scholarship
Video version of this episode is available on our YouTube channel here:
Transcript of this episode available here: https://www.liftandlove.org/podcast#ll-podcast
