One of the biggest decisions a person from the LGBTI+ community can make is when and how to come out to people they know.
Meet Andrew
For the longest time, Andrew’s family had no idea about the ups and downs he was going through, growing up gay.
Although he was out to his friends, he felt he was hiding a huge part of his life. It was only when he found himself in a loving relationship that he finally felt confident enough to come out to his parents.
It lifted a massive weight off his shoulders and now he hopes his story can support and inspire others to live their true selves.
Meet Ross
Ross knew he was gay from a young age, but growing up with a disability and focusing on his health meant he was never quite comfortable coming out.
He worried about how people would react, but when he told them, they were supportive.
He came to realise a lot of the pressure was coming from himself. It’s something that he still deals with to this day, but he’s now far more accepting of who he is as a gay man living with a disability.
Meet Roz
Roz knew that she liked girls from a young age. But growing up in a small town, where the ‘normal’ thing to do was to date boys, there wasn’t much of an opportunity to explore.
Going away to university was a turning point. It gave her a fresh start, and a chance to be honest about who she was and what she wanted.
Now she is happy that she can be who she is, and not feel like she has to come out to anyone anymore.
Meet Andy
Andy struggled for decades with his sexuality. He knew he was gay, but was living a lie. He hated himself and, at his lowest point, considered suicide.
At the age of 59, an encounter with two good friends gave him the confidence he needed to finally come out.
After he’d taken that first step, it got easier. He’s not afraid any more, and feels he’s taken control of his life.
Meet Levi
When Levi was 17 he realised that he was trans.
Despite fears over coming out in a small community in the Highlands where everyone had known him for his whole life, he found people were understanding, but the experience was lonely as he was the only one going through this experience.
Since moving to University, he gets to control who knows and who he feels comfortable telling, and he’s so pleased with where he is now and he’s a proud trans person.
Meet Eseoghene
Eseoghene comes from Nigeria, where it is against the law to be homosexual, he finally came out to his family last year.
It has not been the easiest as his family hold strong religious and cultural beliefs, but he wanted to do it anyway as he wanted to be free in his own self, and not hide this part of himself anymore.
Being able to open himself up to live free from all of the negativity that comes with growing up in Nigeria and being a gay man definitely has made coming out something that is very important to him.
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