Elena Joy + Kristen: Preparing for extended family events after your kid has come out
Our podcast host. and feature in this episode. is Elena Joy Thurston.
Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, author, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation, which is dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community. Elena inspires her audiences to learn how emotional intelligence can improve company morale and productivity, changing members' lives in a practical way. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, her viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed more than 45,000 times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, FOX, Penn State, University of North Texas, Michael’s, Logitech, and more. Elena Joy is also one of the subjects of the feature film documentary Conversion, premiering Fall 2022. Learn more about Elena Joy at www.ElenaJoyExperience.com.
Kristen Kile runs multiple businesses including merch screen printing and helping adults transition to their next stage in life, i.e. what do we keep, give away, and sell so that we can downsize. Kristen taught Elena Joy how to fly fish and on the off chance they can get away from the kids and their multiple companies, you can find them fishing on one of Arizona's mountain streams.
Elena Joy and Kristen are partners and co-parenting their four kids along with Elena Joy's ex-husband and his beautiful wife. Elena Joy and Kristen navigate the pressures of parenting alongside modeling inclusive behavior, navigating the world as LGBTQ+ individuals, and raising an LGBTQ+ child.
Don't forget to check out Pride and Joy Publishing's newest publication, Color Me Queer. Available on Amazon and all major retailers but every purchase on the Pride and Joy Foundation website allows for $6 directly to support our mission: to reduce the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community. Get your copy today!
