Lauren Drain | |
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Born |
Lauren Danielle Drain December 31, 1985 Tampa, Florida, United States |
Residence | Connecticut |
Other names | Lauren Kagan |
Education | B.S., Nursing (Washburn University, 2007) |
Occupation | Fitness Model, Personal Trainer, Nurse, Author |
Spouse(s) | David Kagan (m. 2013) |
Lauren Danielle Drain (born December 31, 1985) is an American nurse, fitness model, personal trainer and author known for writing the 2013 book Banished, which chronicles her experiences and eventual banishment from the controversial Westboro Baptist Church.
Drain was born in Tampa, Florida and lived in nearby Bradenton until
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.
Drain graduated from Washburn University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Lauren worked as a Registered Nurse for 9 years before becoming a full time personal trainer and fitness model. Drain has been married to David Kagan since August of 2013. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Drain participated in the NOH8 Campaign in 2013.
In July of 2013 Drain started a GoFundMe charity account to help fellow WBC escapees get back on their feet.
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 cult. It has been on the New York Best Sellers list in the eBook category as of March 30, 2013.