Peter Burgoyne

Harmony in Duality: Peter Burgoyne's Journey of Faith and Self-Discovery

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Peter Burgoyne’s life has been a journey shaped by faith, family, and self-discovery. His upbringing, defined by religious devotion and family bonds, was largely happy. Music was a constant presence in their home, singing together, often while doing chores. Growing up on a farm, Peter developed a deep love for nature, animals, and cooking—a passion passed down by his mother, who expressed her love through the meals she prepared for others. 

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Peter’s family moved frequently due to his father’s work, living overseas for much of his childhood. While abroad, Peter grew close to his siblings, forming a tight-knit support system that would be vital to him later in life.

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But despite the idyllic moments of his childhood, Peter always sensed he was different. His religious environment offered little framework to understand these feelings, and for many years, Peter grappled with them in silence. Following high school, he served a mission for his church, returning home ready to follow the expected path of marriage to a woman. He tried dating, but the relationships felt hollow, lacking the emotional depth he saw in others. His confusion grew, and he prayed often, seeking clarity about what felt so different inside him.

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Peter’s turning point came during an LDS Institute class when a friend came out as gay. As his friend shared his experiences, Peter felt an undeniable connection to the story. Slowly, realization dawned—Peter was gay. This knowledge brought both relief and fear. For the first time, his feelings made sense, but it also created a conflict with his faith. For a time, Peter wrestled with the idea that his sexual orientation might be a curse or something broken within him. But through prayer and reflection, he received a clear answer: he wasn’t broken, and there was nothing to fix.

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Listening to a podcast about seeing one's orientation as a blessing rather than a burden shifted Peter’s mindset. This was a revelation—being gay didn’t mean abandoning his faith or losing his connection with God. Instead, it meant embracing the unique gifts that came with being a gay man. This shift allowed Peter to feel more at peace with himself and deepened his relationship with God.

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Peter’s journey of coming out started slowly, first confiding in his classmate who had shared his own story. Having someone who understood what he was going through was life-changing, and it gave Peter the courage to come out to more friends. Each conversation deepened his understanding of himself and what it meant to love and be loved. It was only when he learned to love and accept himself that Peter could fully connect with others.

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Dating men for the first time opened Peter’s eyes to what romance was meant to feel like. He remembered feeling detached while watching romantic movies as a kid, never fully relating to the emotions depicted on screen. But now, knowing and accepting he’s a gay man, he could experience romance in a way that felt real and fulfilling. Throughout this journey, the support of friends was crucial, helping him navigate these new experiences with care and safety. 

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Peter hesitated to come out to his family, fearing their reaction. However, the more he concealed his true self, the more isolated he felt, a loneliness he eventually found unbearable.  

 

The conversation with his parents was difficult, as they mourned the future they had envisioned for their son. But Peter was grateful for their willingness to listen. Over time, his parents began to understand him better, and his dad, in his own quiet way, expressed his love by welcoming Peter and his future partner into their home. The relationship with his parents, once strained by the news, grew stronger as they spent time learning about Peter’s life. 

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When Peter came out to his siblings, he hoped to find the same strong support system that had been crucial to him during their years living abroad. While a few initially had difficulty accepting his sexual orientation, Peter remained patient, allowing them the time and space to come to terms with it. One brother, in particular, stood out by embracing him right away. He and his wife welcomed Peter and his past partner on family outings, making him feel truly accepted. The family’s support continues to play a meaningful role in Peter's life.

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Peter now lives on his family’s farm while his parents are overseas, caring for two cows named Pancake and Posey. His love for animals, traveling, nature, and cooking still brings him joy—he’s particularly known for making homemade pasta. In his free time, he finds peace hiking in the Superstition Mountains and paddleboarding on the Salt River. Playing the piano, a skill nurtured in childhood, remains a way for him to de-stress, often with his pet cockatiel perched on his shoulder.

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With a degree in Physics and a passion for solar energy, Peter helps commercial and government clients design solar installations. He has a particular enthusiasm for mentoring interns, seeing the potential in others that he had to find in himself. 

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Peter’s hope for the future is simple: for families and friends to trust and support their LGBTQ loved ones as they navigate their journey. His own journey has shown him that being gay and religious can coexist, even though it requires deep self-reflection, challenges, and patience. Yet, this path has also brought him immense growth and fulfillment. Peter values the beauty in diversity—both in faith and in being part of the LGBTQ community—and hopes that others can find the courage to embrace every part of themselves, just as he is striving to do.