21 Readers Share Their Coming Out Stories
“Well…my father saw me watching Sean Cody"
Dearest reader,
Happy Tuesday! With our kids going back to school last Tuesday, we’re officially in our second week of the semester and I couldn’t be more excited. Why, you ask? Because school starting back = fall is just around the corner! To celebrate, I bought a wax melt this past weekend that smells exactly how fall feels: cozy, comfortable, familiar. It instantly made the entire house feel cozier, even if it was 95 degrees outside.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not one for wishing away whatever season of life or day of the week it is, but think it over: Does anybody REALLY love summer? With the hot, humid weather and the exhaustion it inevitably brings when we get to the end of the four months we’re forced to endure of it? Maybe it’s not as bad where you live, but here in Tennessee, we have months where it’s regularly over 90 degrees every day. I dream of the time when I can curl up in a sweater, bake pumpkin bread, watch the leaves turn orange, and relish in my favorite season: fall.
You, too?
In other news, today’s letter is all about coming out, specifically your coming out stories. We’ve shared ours before, way back in 2017 and, admittedly, I think it’s time we make a new, updated video about that experience. I cringe watching our coming out video because I just know it could be so much better now, haha.
We asked you to share your coming out stories and you did, so so beautifully. Thank you for being vulnerable and, by being so open with your journey, inspiring others to live their truth. Coming out is one of the most important things we’ll do in our lifetimes. It’s also one of the scariest. Even though it’s a universal experience, it’s a different process for everyone and your stories proved that. They all touched us on a deeply personal level, making us laugh and cry and just all around being very inspiring to read. The last one in particular got to me; I don’t know if I could ever be that brave!
OKAY! Let’s get to it
Watch: The Umbrella Academy
After two long years, the fourth and final (!) season of one of our favorite shows is finallyout. For those who haven’t seen it, The Umbrella Academy is a superhero series (but not that kind!) that follows a dysfunctional family of adopted siblings with extraordinary powers. Reunited after their father’s mysterious death, they must confront their troubled pasts while working together to prevent an impending global apocalypse, which at least one occurs every season. The show blends dark humor, action, and emotional depth as the siblings navigate their complex relationships and the chaotic world around them. It’s part dysfunctional family drama and action show, and we look forward to every season. We’re so sad it’s over after this!
You can watch The Umbrella Academy on Netflix.
Read: Joaquin Phoenix's Cold, Heterosexual Feet
I look forward to every issue of
’s wonderful newsletter, . In this week’s letter, he discusses the recent drama of Joaquin Phoenix pulling out of a new gay movie five days before it was scheduled to start production, leaving hundreds of people without a job and everyone wondering, why did he quit the movie? Was it because he got cold feet at the idea of playing his first gay role ever? Not so fast. Read the whole article to find out and to revisit the topic of if only gay actors should be able to play gay roles (for the record, I believe gay and straight actors should be cast as gay characters).You can click here to read the whole post.
Listen: Syd and Shea ‘Secretly Mormon’ McGee
My first introduction to this podcast, recommended by Cup of Jo, was this episode. This “Celebrity Book Club” podcast episode called “Syd and Shea ‘Secretly Mormon’ McGee” dives into the lives of the well-known interior design couple, Syd and Shea McGee, who star in Netflix’s “Dream Home Makeover”, and who you probably follow on Instagram for their drool-worthy interiors. Hosts Steven and Lily explore the couple’s journey from meeting at BYU to their success in the design world, while also discussing the less talked about aspects of their lives, such as their Mormon faith, and wondering if Syd, the husband, is secretly gay. The episode offers a mix of humor and insight, touching on everything from their marital memoir “Make Life Beautiful” to Shea’s entrepreneurial ventures and their unique take on religion as a part of their identity. It was a fascinating listen, and I am now obsessed with Steven and Lily’s commentary. Can’t wait to listen to more episodes!
You can listen to Celebrity Book Club wherever you get your podcasts.
“I got caught on my knees at 15 at Bible school…. Thank goodness my older siblings stepped in and stopped my parents from sending me to conversion camp. They still love me now and are glad they didn’t.” -Charles
“I came out when I was 12 years old, so about 7 years ago. My mom had just picked me up from a friends birthday party and for whatever reason I decided to tell her that I thought I was gay. She was surprised and asked me the barrage of questions that come with your 12 year old son coming out to you and ended up not having the most supportive reaction, but what came of it was a rough few years of denial and ignorance towards my emotions. Towards the middle of high school, both of my parents grew tolerable towards my sexuality, telling me to focus on finishing high school and not dating boys, and now as a sophomore in college I would consider my mom supportive. It has been such a long road and I can’t believe it at all, but I am very thankful. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that it gets better, and that it I don’t deserve having to wait for acceptance, but to be happy that I eventually did.” -Jaylan
“I was most scared to tell my Italian grandmother. She’s very traditional and religious. When I came out to her (the last important person to tell in my family), she held me briefly and said “is that all you had to tell me? Dinner is getting cold, stop crying.” - it makes a funny story and a reassuring story of how she loves me regardless!” -Matthew
“I came out at age 20 to my family and friends. Growing up in Mississippi, it was never truly accepted in my hometown and definitely not to my baptist church going biological family. After much conversion therapy, an in patient psych stay, and incredible heartbreak later, I truly was able to find myself with support of the Trevor Project and the Mama Bears Foundation. Chosen family is way better anyways ;). Been with my boyfriend 4.5 years now and we happily live together in Alabama.” -Samuel