Austin Peterson (he/him)

Austin Peterson is the President of Belong and a key contributor to the Gatherings curriculum, developed alongside Clare Dalton. With a rich history of working with youth in various capacities—including as a teacher, FSY leader, bishopric member, and organizer for Gather for Youth 2024—Austin brings both personal experience and professional expertise to his work.

As a gay individual who grew up in the LDS Church, Austin is deeply motivated to create spaces where LGBTQIA youth can feel safe, authentic, and spiritually empowered. He believes in the importance of providing environments where young people can explore their relationship with God on their own terms, whether they choose to stay within or step outside the traditional church structure.

At this event, Austin serves as a planner and coordinator, leveraging his organizational skills and connections to assemble a talented team dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA youth. His goal is to create a space where participants can find peace, forge meaningful friendships, and deepen their spirituality in a supportive community.

Outside of his work, Austin enjoys biking, skiing, cooking, and diving into binge-worthy TV shows. He’s inspired by the quote, “All flourishing is mutual,” from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, reflecting his belief in the interconnectedness of personal and collective well-being. Austin’s work is guided by a commitment to empower individuals to make values-based choices that lead to a fulfilling life.