Max is a Photographer

This week, we’re joined by Maxwell Poth — a queer photographer who grew up Mormon in Utah and became the only openly gay kid in his entire town.

He talks about cheerleading in high school, coming out to a community that refused to hear the word “gay,” and being bullied by adults from neighboring towns while his own school protected him. We get into Mormon culture, religious expectations, and the moment he realized he wanted to use photography to highlight queer stories.

Maxwell shares how he founded Project Contrast, traveled across the country documenting LGBTQ+ youth, and eventually turned their stories into the book Young Queer America. He reflects on the families he met, the kids he still keeps in touch with, and how queer youth today are navigating a world where support systems are shrinking.