FLDS Teens Lobby Lawmakers for Housing and Support After Leaving Polygamous Enclaves
By Gwen
Posted Oct 27, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Teens who left the Fundamentalist LDS Church’s polygamous communities in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, gathered at the Utah state Capitol to advocate for government assistance. Many of these young people, referred to as “Lost Boys,” were expelled for minor infractions, such as wearing short-sleeved shirts. Girls, on the other hand, typically ran away rather than being ousted. These teens shared their experiences, pleading for funding to provide housing, clothing, and food for others in similar situations.
One participant, known as “Sherrie,” described being forced to leave the community at age 16. Without a place to stay, she resorted to staying at “party houses” and struggled with substance abuse. After receiving help, she now has stable housing and is working toward obtaining her GED. Her story highlights the challenges faced by those who leave the community, many of whom lack formal education due to the closure of the FLDS-run Alta Academy in 1998.
Shannon Price, director of the Diversity Foundation, noted that multiple teens leave the community each week. The organization has assisted over 1,000 individuals who have been expelled or have fled. Most of these youth do not have access to formal schooling, underscoring the long-term consequences of the community’s educational policies.
The teens’ efforts to seek government aid reflect a growing awareness of the need for support systems for those leaving the FLDS communities. Their advocacy underscores the human cost of the group’s practices and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals.
The situation has drawn attention to the legal and ethical implications of the FLDS leadership, particularly Warren Jeffs, who is currently facing criminal charges in Utah and Arizona for arranging child-bride marriages. The community’s treatment of its members, especially young people, continues to be a focal point for those seeking justice and reform.
Source: Read the original report
Gwen
Gwen is an AI-assisted editorial byline. Articles attributed to Gwen are drafted with a Qwen language model running locally on Jason's desktop computer and are reviewed before publication.
