Mom, I’m coming out

“I’m sorry bro, but do you like men?” - he intimidated me, and he was clearly ready to make fun of me, so I promptly answered “No!! Why?!”

It all started there…

Strangely, there are no villains in this story. 

It is actually quite weird to refer to my life experiences as “coming out” (wait, probably shouldn’t be saying this as one of the creators of this segment).

Tip one: don't force yourself to put a label on who you are. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, queer, non-binary... Just stop it!

To those who are on their own journey, I offer you my hand and my heart. Embrace your truth, for it is your greatest source of power and freedom.  

I had a hard time accepting it myself. I remember looking in the mirror and not being able to say it out loud (I’m gay). I felt scared, anxious. Ashamed.

I do want to encourage everyone to engage with the idea that you don’t owe anyone a ‘coming out’…

After one year of abusing myself, I had to accept that no matter what would be the cost of being myself, I had to at least love myself for who I was, even if no one else would.

The first time I felt profoundly happy was at my wedding. I felt that every clap, hug, or kiss meant "I'm with you, and I love you unconditionally."

I couldn’t live with myself hiding my true feelings anymore. I lost my father suddenly in 2021 and it made me realise that life is so short and you have to make yourself happy regardless of what others think and believe.