It started in high school. All the girls I liked weren't mormon and I didn't want to tell them I had seminary. Most of my friends weren't mormon and I hated telling them too.

I remember that too - my first remembered act of lying about my parent's religion was to a very pretty nomo baby sitter - she asked me what religion we were and I told her we were baptists.

Try being from Utah and not being Mormon. Then traveling ANYWHERE outside the state and simply indicating you are from Utah. It makes you feel ashamed.

I had this problem too, even when I went on my mission. Taking off my missionary tag always felt incredible to me. I hated being seen as a Mormon.
My dad, on the other hand, was so proud to be a Mormon. He was into missionary work, and say things like, "Do you know the meaning of life?" and other Mormon bullshit pick up lines. He's still like that.
And I'm finally out, and being out gives me as much joy as being in brings joy to my dad. I'm ashamed I was once one.

if I was more embarrassed than ashamed....

where people on the tour hailed from. I was embarrassed to say Utah. I simply said The Good Old USA!
Another person said she was from Utah! (very proudly) The looks on the faces of the group to that response said it all.

I was embarrassed and she was proud.

When a person knows the truth, its downright embarrassing to be affiliated with a church that believes such unscientific doctrine and has such a sordid history.

I always say I am from Wyoming, which is partly true. I wnet to school there. Being from Utah just invites questions I'd rather not deal with.

I've learned that the first question I get asked is where I am from, the second, after saying, Utah, is ALWAYS, without exception, am I mormon. Now, when asked where I am from I will answer with I am from Utah, no I am not mormon. I've even seen a bumper sticker that said "Yes I'm from Utah, No I'm not mormon." I really want that bumper sticker!

Living in Utah County, I have to admit that one of my larger motives for resigning from the church is that that I could unequivocally/unabashedly and completely honestly have this conversation:

"Where are you from?"
"Utah"
"Are you Mormon"
"No"

instead of


"Where are you from?"
"Utah"
"Are you Mormon"
"Not really. I don't believe it or attend."

I'm from Indiana, but I went to college at BYU. Then I moved to Minnesota. When people there asked where I was from, I'd say "Indiana" because that's where I'm from. But if there were any Mormons around, they'd say "No, you're not. You're from Utah." I guess Mormons know where I'm from better than I do.