Meet Dale Lykins!

Dale Lykins is the founder of The Open Table, a non-institutional open and affirming religious community. After a thirty-year career leading traditional churches, he realized that his own values and beliefs no longer aligned with those of his church organization. He stepped out of what was known and comfortable to embrace an authentic life.

Helping people to welcome the change needed to live truthful lives that are aligned with their core values is the purpose of his blog The Unlearning Blog. Dale grew up in an evangelical conservative Christian environment where people who were different were shunned and attacked. Fearing that he too would find himself on the outside, he became afraid to use his voice and share his views.

At the age of fifty-five, Dale came out as gay. He could no longer deny the reality that had been sloshing around inside of him all of his life. After thirty-five years of marriage to a straight woman with whom he raised two daughters and shares two grandsons, Dale and his wife decided to stay married. They have been living successfully (although not always easily) in a mixed orientation marriage.

Dale mentors and coaches other men who are also living in mixed orientation relationships, all of whom are from evangelical Christian church backgrounds. 

Dale’s effort in this work and in all of the facets of his life aims to help others discover what in their lives is holding them back—whether it be relationships, societal norms, institutions, careers—in favor of living a truer, more meaningful life. His journey provides insight to help others navigating the path of merging their inner belief with their outward life.

Dale lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife. 

Connect with Dale!

Dale's Website   
http://www.dalelykins.com/

Facebook

Twitter: @DaleLykins