by Dre'quan Reed

Closeted Gay College Athlete Learns to Speak Up For Others Following Transformative Pride Experience. “It Makes You A Better Person.”

Hi, my name is Dre’Quan Reed. I was born and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I grew up in an area where it was pretty much a lot of masculinity going around. I had to prese...

by Trevor McCray

Gay Man Acknowledges Sexuality at High School Retreat, Then Comes Out To Mom. “I Will Not Allow Darkness To Creep Over My Life.”

I’m Trevor McCray and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. In my family, there’s a rule – I don’t know about yours – but it’s an unspoken rule that family business stays wi...

by Taylor Mckenzi

Non-Binary Person Inspired to Explore Gender Identity and Leave Toxic Ex During COVID Lockdown. “I Had Finally Chosen Myself.”

I’m Taylor McKenzi and I’m from Austin, Texas. When I was younger, I knew that I wasn’t like the other little girls around me. When we would play pretend I would often choos...

by Danny Lopez

Gay Man Reconciles Faith and Sexuality After Profanity-Laden Defense of Mother at Church.

Hi, I’m Danny Lopez. I am from Austin, Texas. Thirteen, 14 years ago, I started dating this guy. Everything was going good and well. Unfortunately, he was outed. In a way I was ...

by Wallace West

Oscar-Winning Movie About Drag Queens Gives Teen Courage To “Live as Out Loud as I Possibly Could.”

My name’s Wallace West and I’m from Houston, Texas. Coming of age in very conservative Texas, that’s still very conservative, I didn’t see much of myself in movies. I was ...

by Bart Loeser

After Gay Man Comes Out as HIV+, Parents Evolve From Ambivalence to Activism. “I Couldn’t Be More Proud of Them.”

My name is Bart Loeser and I’m from Houston, Texas. So it was summer, early summer of 1986. And my best friend who was my roommate previously had just moved to San Francisco a c...

by Kevin Usher

1980 Shooting At A Gay Bar Leads Gay Man To Learn Resiliency at the Onset of the AIDS Epidemic.

My name is Kevin Usher. I grew up in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. November 19th, 1980, me, a recent graduate from Boston Conservatory, living in Greenwich Village. I had a good friend...

by Bristtle

Buffy and a Music Video Contributes to Trans Man Embracing His Identity. “You Deserve to Choose Yourself.”

I’m Bristtle. I’m from Liberty, South Carolina. I remember I was 11 years old the first time I realized that I was queer. I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Willow an...

by Paolo Lee

College Student Finds His Queer Voice Studying Abroad in Rome. “It’s Been Incredibly Liberating.”

Hey, I’m Paolo Lee, and I am from Glendora, New Jersey.Hey, I’m Paolo Lee, and I am from Glendora, New Jersey. I’ve always been a musician. Music is in my family. I’ve been a singer-songwriter. I’ve learned how to play piano. ...