Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Transformed: A Detransitioner Speaks Out (With Kyla Gillespie)

24 snips
Apr 28, 2026
Kyla Gillespie, author and former professional Canadian women’s hockey player who transitioned and later detransitioned, shares a vivid spiritual testimony. She talks about lifelong gender discomfort, the pull of LGBTQ sports communities, the decision to transition and its aftermath. She reflects on hitting rock bottom, finding Bible-centered care, and embracing her God-given gender.
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ANECDOTE

Teenage Divorce Forced A Painful Choice

  • Kyla's parents divorced when she was 13 and she was forced to choose which parent to live with, a decision she says traumatized her.
  • She chose her mother, which left her father hurt and intensified her role as the family's peacemaker.
ANECDOTE

Hockey Became Identity And Path To High Performance

  • Hockey became Kyla's identity and escape after family break-up; she trained hard and was scouted into Canada's high-performance program.
  • Her dedication led to playing at the national level and nearly making Team Canada.
ANECDOTE

Coming Out As Gay Led To Deeper Struggles

  • In her late teens and early twenties Kyla encountered LGBTQ peers on elite teams and admitted she came out as gay at 23 while also becoming an alcoholic.
  • She later told a pastor she planned to transition from Kyla to Bryson and struggled for 11 years with drinking and identity.
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