Life for me has been a remarkable journey, filled with abuse, anger, sadness and low self esteem. However my resiliency, perseverance and trust in God have made me the strong woman that I am today. My memoir is proof that the many LaVernes can survive, achieve and become someone important who can give love and receive love. This is a book about HEALING.

In many ways my story is not much different than anyone else's. The oldest of three boys, I grew up in the shadow of Mount Rainier with two parents who loved me. They took us on trips, to church on Sundays, and they made sure we had a wonderful childhood. There wasn't much to complain about, except one thing: I had a secret that I worried would ruin my life if exposed. Not wanting to lose everything-and wanting to honor God like the good Christian boy I was raised to be-I stuffed the secret down and did everything in my power to be someone I wasn't.In Love Him Well, I recount what it was like to grow up in a conservative Christian world while being gay and closeted. I detail the many efforts I made to keep that secret hidden, with the aim of one day succeeding in changing my orientation. It is my sincere hope that sharing this story will open the hearts of those who have been close-minded to the idea that people can be both gay and Christian. My journey proves that it's possible.