Iese Purcell Wilson
The Harmony Within: The Story of Iese Purcell Wilson
For Iese Purcell Wilson, the twists and turns of his journey have felt much like the ebb and flow of music—dissonance leading to harmony, one chord resolving into another. His life is a chorus shaped by the teachings of his family, his culture, and his faith, as well as his determination to build bridges across seemingly insurmountable divides.
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Raised in Southern California, Iese was connected to his Samoan, Hawaiian, and Filipino heritage, growing up with his family in what he describes as a “Samoan Village” atmosphere. It was a loving upbringing, filled with the influence of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His heritage, his religious faith, and the guidance of those who came before him formed a foundation that would help him navigate the dissonance that would come into his life.
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Iese began to notice he was different from his male cousins and friends around age ten. While they were drawn to girls, he felt drawn towards boys, although he had no words for what he was experiencing.
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In junior high, when California’s Proposition 8—a measure to ban same-sex marriage—was making headlines, Iese finally found a word for what he felt: he was gay. However, this realization was painful, as he witnessed the stark division between the religious and gay communities, a divide that reflected the inner conflict he experienced. Convinced he couldn’t be both gay and religious, he felt forced to choose between these two parts of himself. To his young mind, choosing God meant denying his feelings, and he began a journey to “fix” his attraction to boys through strict devotion. He wore a tough exterior to mask his inner turmoil—a shell that sometimes hardened his interactions, even with his brothers.
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A two-year mission in Auckland, New Zealand, offered a fresh opportunity to reconcile his feelings. Immersed in the Samoan community there, he deepened his connection to his heritage and learned profound lessons about love and kindness. He resolved to channel these lessons into his relationships.
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Yet, when the mission ended, the dissonance returned. He was still gay, and the path he’d envisioned—dating women, marrying, and building a family in the traditional sense—felt increasingly unnatural. A move to Hawaii became a turning point. Surrounded by the unconditional love of his grandparents and the welcoming “ohana” spirit of his community, he began to open up about who he truly was. Sharing his truth with friends and eventually his family at 25, he began to experience a long-awaited harmony.
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Opening up to his family was the most difficult but proved to be healing. His father, initially surprised, listened with love. His mother expressed regret for not having been a safe haven earlier but offered unwavering support. He apologized to his brothers for the ways his internal struggle had hurt them. His repaired relationship with them became a testament to the healing power of honesty and love.
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As a student at BYU-Hawaii, Iese found a new purpose: helping LGBTQ students, many from countries where coming out could lead to severe consequences. When he shared his story in a church talk, closeted students began seeking him out. Feeling called to help, he became a safe haven, a bridge for those navigating the precarious intersection of faith and their LGBTQ journey. His efforts extended to the university administration, advocating for more inclusive practices and creating spaces where all students could feel valued. His bridge-building efforts helped create outreach programs that provided support and care to students who had nowhere else to turn.
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His mission of bridge-building continued when he moved to Arizona to complete a masters in music performance at ASU. As a community board member at Equality Arizona and a podcast host for All Out in the Open, he amplifies the voices of LGBTQ individuals worldwide. His work is much like his current role as a choir teacher (his dream job), where he helps students find confidence and joy through music. Just as a conductor harmonizes the sounds of a choir, Iese harmonizes stories, advocating for those whose voices have been silenced.
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Drawing from his experiences as both a choir teacher and an advocate, Iese believes in the power of dissonance as a force for growth. In music, dissonance propels listeners toward resolution; similarly, he sees that tensions between the LGBTQ and religious communities can be an opportunity for deeper understanding. He believes both sides have more work to do in creating inclusive spaces. He validates the pain and dissonance that many LGBTQ people feel toward religion, and he asks for more grace for those who are trying to navigate both their spirituality and their queer selves.
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Looking forward, Iese holds close a Polynesian saying: “We warm our hands by fires we didn’t kindle and drink from wells we didn’t dig.” He honors those who paved the way for him and dedicates himself to doing the same for others. His life, like a well-conducted symphony, is not a pursuit of fleeting happiness but of enduring meaning. In moments of dissonance, he asks: What is the meaning I can learn from this experience? And, most importantly, What can I do to make the world a more meaningful place for others?
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Through his advocacy, teaching, and music, Iese continues to bring harmony to a world in need of resolution.
