Why does Gwendlyn Brown of ‘Sister Wives’ say that her transgender sibling Leon is distancing themselves from the family?
In a video posted to YouTube on Sunday, “Sister Wives” star Gwendlyn Brown explained why she thinks her sibling Leon Brown might have distanced themselves from the Brown family, noting that it might be due to having “a family that’s quite a bit conservative and partially against transsexuality in general.” Gwendlyn didn’t mention the names of any specific family members who might be against Leon’s lifestyle choices.
Gwendlyn, 21, is the biological child of Christine Brown and her ex-husband Kody Brown. She identifies as queer and autistic. Leon is the oldest Brown child and the only child of Kody and his first wife Meri Brown.
When asked by a fan about Leon’s relationship with the family, Gwendlyn said that Leon might’ve always felt like “the odd one out in the family” because they don’t have “siblings from their mom to really get along with.”
“And also with Leon being transgender and queer in general and being in a family that predominantly practices a Mormon fundamentalist faith…Mormonism hasn’t really traditionally been kind to queer people,” she continued. “Especially with a family that’s quite a bit conservative and partially against transsexuality in general.”
Gwendlyn went on to say that Leon has been “separating themselves from the situation and been sticking to people that are more safe for them.”
“It’s not that they are not fitting in, it’s that they have chosen to go to people who they can trust. And it’s just, they found a safer community for themself,” she continued.
Leon came out as “genderqueer, trans, and unapologetic” to the world on Instagram in June 2022.
“Being queer & trans are definitely some of my favorite parts of myself. and yet, there are so many things that i am learning to love about myself through this process,” they wrote in the post. “Here’s to me getting to know myself, share myself, and continually evolve to be the person i am, to be my favorite self in all contexts.”
Leon’s mom Meri announced she was no longer married to their dad Kody in January 2023. Leon and their partner Audrey Kriss have occasionally appeared on “Sister Wives” via video calls for scenes filmed throughout the pandemic.
In July 2022, Meri posted a tribute to Leon on Instagram for their birthday. “A passionate heart, a giving soul, forever the champion of the underdog,” she wrote. “Laughter runs through their veins, strength and inner wisdom abounds!”
Leon Brown didn’t immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment via Instagram.
