Interviewer
India Ashton Hite
Files
Description
Public servant Kyla Rock discusses her childhood in Arkansas, Illinois, and Nevada, where she was active in her community and a member of the LDS Church. Rock describes a generally idyllic upbringing with a loving family but, in hindsight, reflects on some LDS Church practices and doctrines as harmful. She shares her experience of coming out as gay in her forties and discusses the ongoing journey she continues to navigate with her wife and partner, who grew up in Wyoming. Drawing on stories from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, Rock reflects on attending graduate school in Nevada, an experience she says broadened her perspective. She also discusses living in Helena, Montana, since 2015 and feeling largely welcomed and happy there. Rock was interviewed by Public History master's candidate India Ashton Hite.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
LDS Church, queer identity, acceptance, family, community, relationships, marriage, coming out, Helena, Montana
Original Date
11-7-2025
Time Period
Twenty-first century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Queer In and Out of Montana Oral History Project, OH 494, Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / email Archives and Special Collections
Oral History Number
OH 494-024
Media Type
Moving Image; Text
Original Format
video/mp4; application/pdf
Digital Format
video/mp4; application/pdf
Run Time
00:49:25 minutes
Local Filename
OH_494_024_video_use.mp4; OH_494_024_transcript.pdf; OH_494_024_video_captions.srt
Citation
Rock, Kyla, "Kyla Rock Interview, November 7, 2025" (2025). Queer In and Out of Montana Oral History Project. 25.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/queermontana_oralhistories/25