Lauren Drain

Lauren Danielle Drain (born December 31, 1985) is a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church who wrote the 2013 book Banished, which chronicles her experiences and eventual banishment from the church.

Early life

Drain was born in Tampa, Florida and lived in nearby Bradenton until age five, when she moved to Olathe, Kansas with her father, Steve, who enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Kansas.

Steve Drain first came into contact with Westboro while working on a documentary critical of the church. He eventually became a fervent convert, and his entire family followed him into the church. Lauren Drain was a member from 2001 until 2008, when she was excommunicated for questioning church doctrine. Her parents, two sisters, and brother are still members of the church, and have cut all ties with her.

Drain graduated from Topeka West High School in Topeka, Kansas and earned a Wiseman Scholarship to Washburn University.

Career

Drain graduated from Washburn University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for nine years before becoming a full-time personal trainer and fitness model. Drain has been married to David Kagan since August 2013. She currently lives in Las Vegas. She also identifies as a Christian.

Drain participated in the NOH8 Campaign in 2013.

Drain wrote the book titled Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church, co-authored by Lisa Pulitzer which describes her experiences in the Westboro Baptist Church and her ultimate expulsion from the church. It has been on the New York Best Sellers list in the eBook category as of March 30, 2013.

Drain is a fitness model, using her social media account such as Instagram and Facebook to showcase her fitness routines, strength and motivational content.

Personal life

Drain and her husband, David, announced on July 25, 2019 that they were expecting a baby. Drain gave birth to a daughter, Aria Skye, on December 28, 2019.