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Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Episode 831: Aiden Kelly (Transgender Man) and Annalee Kelly (His Supportive LDS Mother)

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 839 Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My friend Aiden Kelly (he/him, trans man, age 23, future in theatre) and my friend Annalee Kelly (married mother of 4, RM, active LDS, from Idaho Falls) join us to share their story. Aiden starts and talks about: * Immense pain of gender dysphoria * Writing in his journal—and sharing that journal entry with his mother as a way to come out as a boy * Knowing sharing his pain with others would be key to getting help and making his future possible * How hormone treatment and top surgery ended the pain and have him hope * Parents support * Glad he is alive. Has hope and a future. * Advice to others who are suicidal/have no hope. Annalee then shares about: * The long-term hatred Aiden had for his body (hair pulling, pounding on his chest, etc) * Asking advice from his Bishop (good experience) * Had to put Aiden’s life ahead of my original dreams/hopes * Generally positive ward and family support * Starting Open Arms of Idaho * Pain of the August 2025 transgender handbook policy update * “Aiden is a masterpiece” * Aiden’s Father support Aiden is one of my heroes—a brave, talented, a good man—with a wonderful future. I’m glad you are alive Aiden and thank you for your courage to share your story. You give hope to others. And thank you Annalee for helping us know we can love and support our LGBTQ friends and family—and how that is part of responsibility as Latter-day Saints and followers of Jesus. Thank you for all the work you and your team is doing in the Idaho Falls area to bring more love and understanding. You are all some of my heroes. You are a beautiful family. And your story will help so many. Links: Open Arms of Idaho: openarmsidaho.org/ Open Arms of Idaho Instagram: @openarmsidaho Open Arms of Idaho Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089047401155

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello, listeners.

0:04.9

Welcome to another episode of Listen, Learn, and Love hosted by Richard Osler.

0:10.0

My guest on today's podcast are a mom and her son, Annalie Kelly and her son, Aden Kelly, joining me from their home near Idaho Falls via Zoom.

0:22.1

Welcome to the podcast.

0:24.6

Thank you.

0:25.5

Glad to be here.

0:33.2

I've known this good family for at least five years, maybe longer, and Aiden is a trans man.

0:34.5

His pronouns are he, him.

0:35.8

He's 23.

0:41.0

And he's willing to come on the podcast to share his story. But any of my trans, non-binary friends come on the podcast, my heart just kind of opens up

0:47.8

and admires their courage to talk about this road that they've been on, especially given

0:53.5

how the polarization of the political climate

0:57.2

in a negative way towards really good people like Aidan Kelly.

1:03.3

And so I'm really honored that he'd come on the podcast and his mom, active Latter-day Saint, mom of four, grandma of one, and also a founder of open arms,

1:16.3

a support group in Idaho Falls that we may end up talking more about in the podcast. But our prayer

1:22.7

is just, this will help you. If you're trans or non-binary as you listen to Aden's story,

1:28.8

that as he bravely shares his story will help you. If you're trans or non-binary as you listen to Aden's story, that as he bravely shares his story will help you in your journey. And if you're an ally trying to better support

1:33.8

these good people, wonderful members of society, that hearing Aden's story will help you.

1:42.7

And with that, just so brave of you to both be on the podcast

1:45.6

and I'll turn it over. I think Aiden's going first, so we're turning it over to you, Aden.

1:50.8

Appreciate it. Thank you, Richard. When I was about 14, I started to realize that I was different

1:58.3

from my peers. I had feelings for girls that I was learning were different from how the rest of my female

...

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