Coming out isn’t just one moment. It’s a lifetime of learning to live honestly, of choosing truth again and again, even when it’s hard, even when the world doesn’t make it easy.
As October 11th, National Coming Out Day, approaches, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what coming out really means, not only for those of us who’ve done it, but for those who are still waiting for the right time, or the right safety, or the right words.
In this episode, I look back on conversations I’ve had through Friends, Loves, & Life and revisit stories from people who opened their hearts and trusted me with their truth, people like Gregg, Alex, Mike, Rich, Stephen, and James. Each one reminds me that while coming out can be scary, it’s also powerful. It builds bridges. It saves lives. It connects us to our chosen family, the people who see us, love us, and remind us that we belong.
For some, family is where the story begins. For others, it’s what we build along the way. Either way, the act of coming out, whether whispered, shouted, or simply lived, is a kind of rebirth.
I share a bit of my own story, too, and the relief that came when my father hugged me and told me he loved me after I said the words, “Yes, I’m gay.” That moment changed everything.
Because when we live as ourselves, we not only free our own hearts, we light the way for others to do the same.
-David
A Queer POV: Friends, Loves, & Life with David
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