Mat Hayes

From a devout Southern Baptist family, he realized he was gay as a very young child; diving even deeper into Calvinism as a young man; the damage of anti-homosexual preaching; pulling away from religion; forgiveness, and a passion to connect with and help others.

 

Mat Hayes (Actor: Jane The Virgin... Writer/Creator of the autobiographical short film Cognitive) visits, and he and Nicholas promptly start singing the praises of their dear Jessalyn Gilsig, who was on the show previously.  Mat was born into a loving, devout Southern Baptist family in Alabama, but at a very young age he knew he was "different" - he was attracted to other males.  Cognitive is about an extraordinary moment in his gay coming-of-age story, where a preacher in Mat's youth told his congregation that AIDS was sent by God to kill homosexuals.  What does that kind of information do to the mind of a child?  Mat is eloquent and full of forgiveness regarding this story, and he has a passion to connect with others, and help where he can.  Another passion?  Arby's food.  Did you know that Nicholas' father is an Arby's franchisee in Omaha, Nebraska??! 

 

Something Mat helped me learn more about: The Evangelical movement and its' denominations. 

Something that blew my mind: The Five Points of Calvinism (aka TULIP). 

 

Mat's Instagram: @hayes_mat

 

Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow

Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow 

Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com  

Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano 

Interview Originally Recorded at Brigade Radio One Studios