rights
Did the Mormon Church Accidentally Feature a Gay Designer Who Pokes Fun at Their Homophobia?
By Quispe López at them.
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
The official Instagram and Facebook pages for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a positive profile about fashion designer Pono Skousen on June 29, in the eleventh hour of Pride Month, that has since caused quite a stir online — because, as it turns out, Skousen is gay and some o
Key takeaway He said he started as a ballet dancer and moved into fashion by helping the Relief Society, the official women’s organization of the LDS Church, with sewing and hemming.
Why this matters
The Mormon Church's profile on Pono Skousen, a gay fashion designer who incorporates critiques of the church's anti-LGBTQ+ teachings into his work, highlights the complexities of navigating faith and identity. Skousen's designs, which use humor and irony to challenge the church's stance on homosexuality, have resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community. The fact that the church's official social media accounts featured Skousen's profile, albeit briefly, suggests a potential disconnect between the church's leadership and its membership. The backlash from some church members, who accused the church's PR team of making a mistake, underscores the ongoing tensions within the church regarding LGBTQ+ issues. This incident also speaks to the broader national conversation about the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ rights, where individuals like Skousen are pushing boundaries and challenging institutions to reexamine their policies and teachings.
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: them. ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The official Instagram and Facebook pages for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a positive profile about fashion designer Pono Skousen on June 29, in the eleventh hour of Pride Month, that has since caused quite a stir online — because, as it turns out, Skousen is gay and some o
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by them. and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Quispe López at them.. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .