Coming Out Stories

A goodbye note found on a computer. 

A father who says, “I don’t understand, but I love you.” 

A marriage that proves joy can grow in places once ruled by fear. 

From rural West Virginia to an online audience that shows up for humour, makeup, and honesty, we sit with Bobby Jean Spears as he traces a path from secrecy to self-belief.
 
 If you’re weighing how and when to come out, you’ll find practical advice: start with a trusted friend, build a small circle, and save the family talk for when y...

 The moment Christina saw a woman looking back at her in the mirror changed everything. "I can't really describe the euphoria," she reveals. "It was like finding something I didn't know was missing."

Christina's journey began with childhood signs that went unrecognised. Growing up in the 1990s, she always gravitated toward traditionally feminine activities and friendships with girls, yet lacked the framework to understand her identity. When her father bought her football tickets as a treat, she innocently asked, "Have I been really naughty? Is this a punishment?"

Her journey took a troubling detour at u...

When Patrick Kitana Ettenes bluntly told his father "I suck dick, daddy" at 15 years old, it marked just one turning point in a life brimming with extraordinary challenges and triumphs. Born in Barbados in 1983 to a Dutch father and Trinidadian mother, Patrick's childhood was a paradox of privilege and pain—his father's high-profile security work with prime ministers and diplomats couldn't shield him from relentless bullying due to his feminine expression.

Patrick's shocking classroom experiences included teacher-orchestrated "games" where students chased and attacked him, leaving him with bruises and scratches his mother eventually noticed. Despite this trauma, he...

What happens when you've spent nearly seven decades hiding your true self? Wendy Cole's story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of authenticity.

Born in the late 1940s, Wendy knew from age three that she was a girl, despite being assigned male at birth. At ten years old, she bravely dressed in her mother's clothes and declared her truth—only to face threats of psychiatric commitment in 1950s America. Her journey took another painful turn in the 1970s when a psychiatrist called her a "freak" during her second attempt to transition, forcing her ba...

Welcome back to Coming Out Stories after our six-month hiatus! As our seventh year begins, there have been moments when giving up seemed tempting. But looking at the increasingly hostile world around us, it's clear that now is precisely the time these stories need to be heard.

Season Six arrives during a critical period for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Here in the UK, the Supreme Court recently ruled that gender is defined by biological sex rather than gender identity, effectively undermining transgender existence and eroding hard-won equal rights. The FA has implemented a ban preventing trans women from...

How do you stay true to yourself when both society and your own family won't accept you?

Kuchenga Shenje is a remarkable trans woman, writer, and journalist, who first understood her true gender identity at just three years old.
Kuchenga's story is one of resilience and spiritual strength. Her childhood experiences shed light on the challenges trans folk face in a gender-normative environment and she shares the solace she found in trans representation on 90s talk shows.
Kuchenga's story is a powerful testament to preserving your true self against adversity.

You can follow...

In this episode,  meet the hugely successful author Simon James Green.

Simon writes books for a YA audience that include vital representation for LGBTQ+ teens.  This has led to his books being vilified and even banned. 

Simon talks about growing up gay in the UK in the shadow of  Clause 28, a time when  being true to oneself seemed nearly impossible. 

Simon recounts his personal journey of gradual self-revelation—a roadmap marked by subtle hints and professional expressions rather than a single defining moment. This powerful narrative underscores the importance of visible LGBTQ+ role mod...

Imagine growing up wanting a Barbie doll but feeling afraid to ask for it.

In this episode, award-winning author Dean Atta, shares his poignant journey of self-discovery and the courageous story of coming out at 15. Dean reveals the trials and triumphs of navigating childhood and adolescence as a queer individual, offering a heartfelt reflection on his first crush and the strength he found within himself amidst rejection and misunderstanding.

Dean talks about the challenges of coming out within a mixed-race family during the 80s and 90s. We also discuss the powerful themes in his memoir, "...

What does it mean to grow up LGBTQ+ in a conservative environment?
Jordan Gonsalves is a podcaster and journalist from New York, who shares his deeply personal journey of understanding his sexuality in the conservative suburbs of Houston, Texas.
Jordan's reflections on childhood bullying, societal pressures, and the early realization of being different paint a vivid picture of the struggles many LGBTQ+ individuals face during their formative years.

Growing up within a devout Catholic family, the fear of being gay led to years of self-suppression, but during an internship in San Francisco, Jordan found freedom...

What does it take to come out after 55 years of hiding your true self?

Kevin O'Connor, an author and a gay man found the courage to embrace his identity after decades of living a different life.
In this episode, you’ll hear Kevin's reflections on his early inklings of being gay in the 1960s, his struggles with authenticity, and the pivotal moment when his youngest son came out at 16, prompting Kevin to finally confront his own buried feelings.

This episode delves into the complexities of coming out later in life and the transformative power of...

Happy Pride Month!

Today's episode comes from brilliant children's author Robert Tregoning

Robert shares his journey from a rural village in County Durham, through the turbulence of the '80s and '90s, to becoming an advocate for authenticity and self-expression. From childhood memories of defying gender norms to finding solace in understanding friends, we uncover the impact of societal expectations on his formative years. We also get a sneak peek into his new book, "A Fairy Called Fred," and hear the incredible story of how he met his husband.

You can learn...

Ben Green grew up trans in a small Connecticut town.

Now an activist and author of "My Child is Trans: Now What?" Ben reflects on just how different his childhood was to his sister's as he tried to navigate the complexities of gender identity without any trans role models.
This story explores the profound impact that representation—or the lack thereof—can have on a young person's journey to self-discovery and authenticity.

From the supportive embrace for his bisexuality, partly due to shows like "Modern Family," to the more challenging acceptance of his trans iden...

Imagine embarking on a voyage of self-discovery that doesn't truly begin until the age of 40. That's the  reality for Jenny, a trans woman with a tale that unfolds with laughter, adversity, and, above all, authenticity. As she reminisces about her childhood in Woking and the challenges of expressing her true identity pre-internet, Jenny's experiences from makeshift gender expression at home to her eventual powerful coming out in Manchester shine a light on the journey many in the trans community face.

For Jenny, the world of Drag was a haven that embraced her when she needed it most, b...

Imagine the courage it takes to forge a path as a black queer woman in a world where your identity intersects with a rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and belief systems. This is the life of Anna DeShawn, a social entrepreneur from Chicago. who came out in a religious household and went on to create spaces where queer voices can echo and resonate.

In an intimate exchange, Anna and Emma navigate the  complexities of family acceptance in the black community, revealing both the struggles and the victories and the evolution of her identity through terms like 'queer...

From his first inklings of being different at a summer camp,  to the seismic shift that occurred when he saw real gay representation in corporate America, Michael's journey is one of struggle, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity.

Michael's story not only peels back the layers of his own coming out journey, but also addresses the emotional challenges that often linger beneath the surface of the LGBTQ+ community in a city known for its progressiveness, New York City.

Michael  is also director of brand marketing and communications for Archer, a new dating app co...

Remember that gut-punch moment when everything you thought you knew about yourself was turned on its head? That's where Kirsty Loehr found herself at 16, blindsided by the realisation that her sexuality wasn't what she'd always assumed...

In this episode, meet Kirsty, author of "A Short History of Queer Women," and hear  her journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of a Manchester council estate. This episode peels back the layers of what it means to come to terms with one's queer identity, pre-social media whirlwind and without a blueprint for what lies ahead.

With humor and h...

 Moe Ari Brown, was born into a working-class, religious family and raised on the South side of Chicago amid the Black church's rich traditions. Moe felt invisible  during their youth but at college, they had an epiphany – that gender identity and sexuality are not fixed points but vibrant spectrums.

As a relationship therapist and guide, Moe's insights are not only personal milestones but also lighthouses for others on similar journeys, from their bisexual awakening to the discovery of a transgender community that felt like home.
Moe also discusses the tribulations that bisexual daters encounter!

Find...

Growing up in Peterborough, in the centre of England,  Arthur's story tells of the intimate struggles of growing up with a gender identity that defies societal norms.

With insights into the complexity of coming out to loved ones when you're trans, the battles fought within gender clinics, and the ongoing need for visibility and support for trans youth, this episode is a celebration of the trans community as they face very difficult times.

This episode also celebrates TRUK United FC—the safe haven Arthur helped create for trans men to unite through the love of foo...

Imagine discovering your true self at a time where even the word "transgender" was seldom whispered, then fast-forward to seeing that reality reflected on national TV!

Annie Wallace, a pioneering trans soap actress, takes us through her life, from her earliest memories of gender identity struggles,  to life in Aberdeen's  first gay bar, and the bullying endured by those who dared to be different, through her influential role behind the scenes of beloved TV characters like "Coronation Street's" Hayley Cropper to her own starring role as Sally St. Claire in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.

An...

Gary's story is proof that life does indeed begin at 40!

Gary's journey through marriage, heartbreaks, and eventual joy in finding deep love will bring a real smile to your face.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a...

As the curtain closes on our 2023 series, we bring you the incredible story of Ann!
Beginning in Liverpool in the late 50s and early 60s  – a time when innocence mingled with confusion in the absence of visible LGBTQ+ role models,  Ann's tale then takes us through the swinging 60s of London, the rigid discipline of army life, and into the heart of personal discovery and selfless, passionate activism.
Anne's story reveals not just her struggles and triumphs but also the landscape of a society grappling with change and the evolution of our community.

This is an e...

 Verity Smith is a trans gay man who is passionate about playing wheelchair rugby.

After first coming out as a lesbian in the 90s, Verity played women's rugby and was too afraid to come out as trans, as there were no policies in place for trans players in the game and he would have had to give up the sport he loved.

He did eventually come out and was faced with a barrage of transphobia and discrimination.

After a devastating  injury incurred on the pitch, Verity ended up in a wheelchair, but found an...

Born into strict Muslim traditions in Syria and raised in Jordan, Luma is a beacon of hope and courage for all of us in the LGBTQ+ community.

Her personal coming out story is complex; spanning cultures, religions, and generations. As a young adult in a country where being gay was considered a crime, Luma came out to her parents and was disowned, it took many years until her own daughter played a pivotal role in reconciling their family. Luma is also testament to the importance of chosen families within the LGBTQ+ community.

Luma is also...

From Nigeria to the UK,  Reverend Jide's Macaulay, otherwise known as the 'happy, holy homosexual,' reveals his life's story.

From braving patriarchy and toxic masculinity in Nigeria to enduring conversion therapy in London, Jide's testimony is nothing short of inspiring. His deep-seated faith in God and in himself, and his relentless pursuit of acceptance, not only for himself but for the entire LGBTQ+ community, shine through his story.
Jide outlines his journey into Christian ministry and challenges the often-misinterpreted biblical verses referring to same-sex relationships.
We also delve into the harsh realities faced by t...

What does it take to live authentically in the face of adversity and societal norms?
Juno Roche is an iconic figure in the transgender community and a notable author.
With a life composed of resilience, identity, and transformation, Juno has a wealth of experiences - from growing up in a tough family to navigating the world of LGBTQ+ culture during the 70s-80s, and discovering her true self amidst personal challenges.

In this conversation you'll hear about Juno's  childhood experiences, her battle for identity, and the challenges she faced as a transgender person in a p...

Get ready for a heart-stirring journey as we welcome you back to a brand-new season of Coming Out Stories. After a (rather long) pause, we're returning with a line-up of extraordinary stories that transcend across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, painting a picture of resilience, hope, and love.

Be captivated by the story of a brave gay priest standing against all odds, including his own father, to fight for LGBT rights in Nigeria.

Meet Juno Roche, a transgender woman whose life journey is as awe-inspiring as the script of a Hollywood blockbuster. 

Join us on t...

Kit: I never understood why all my friends were obsessed with boys.  Then I came out, fell in love with women and lost my mind!

In this, the final episode of season four, meet Kit from London.

It took Kit a little while to realise she was a lesbian and she didn't come out until she was 30.

Follow Kit on twitter for news on where to catch her show 30 and Out.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. P...

Valentino: My family simply didn't know how to raise a gay child

Valentino grew up as a gay man and now identifies as being gender fluid, and whilst they are currently living in Manchester, England they were born and raised in Bermuda.

They have quite the life story and this episode only really begins to scratch the surface.

Please be aware:  This story contains descriptions of sexual activity and is centered around the subject of being groomed. You may find some of the content uncomfortable or triggering.

For more o...

Dharma: The teacher told me to play with the other boys, but I knew I wasn't a boy.  It was a secret I kept for a long time.

Dharma Kelleher is a pansexual crime writer, based in Phoneix, Arizona who puts lesbians and trans women at the heart of her novels.

She grew up in a small town just outside Atlanta.  She knew as a very young child that she was trans.

Find out more about Dharma's work here.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Clifford:  My dad suggested conversion therapy and I let him sit with that idea, I was literally the first gay person he knew.

Clifford is our first sapio sexual storyteller.  A real world citizen, he is of Indian heritage, had a Catholic upbringing in Dubai in now lives in Australia.

He speaks about what being sapio sexual means to him and how his family reacted to his coming out as gay.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in...

In this very special eisode, we're sharing an intervew we did with Brad Shreve on his excellent podcast Queer We Are, a show where Brad talks to  entertainers, activists, politicians, artists, athletes, and more of the most interesting LGBTQ people from diverse backgrounds.

We hope you enjoy it!

Find out more about Brad and Queer We Are 

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

...

Brad: For more than 30 years I convinced myself "I can't be gay. I will change someday"

In this episode, we're back in the United States, to the Californian desert to meet Brad.

Brad didn’t come out until his 30s, by which stage he had married a woman and had had a child.

Brad also came out in a way that we've never  spoken about on this podcast before...

Find out more about Brad and his podcast Queer We Are 

You can find out more about The Trev...

EJ: I’ve had quite the internal war about how I identify. I don’t want to use the labels that society gives us!

EJ is a young person who lives in a small  town in Ohio, USA. 
They identify as a gender queer masc lesbian.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all...

Andrew:  I told myself that being bisexual was just a phase.  It was not!

Andrew identifies as bisexual. 

He hails from Scotland and is behind the LGBTQ+ sports website Pride of the Terraces.

Although he is now very  open about his sexuality, it was a big decision for him to come out in a newspaper.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @Comi...

Grady

Grady Throneberry  is the first openly gay police chief in Kentucky.

He didn't come out until his sixties and what a story he has to tell!

Married to a woman, with grown up daughters, he lived in his words as a "straight, conservative man" until 2018.  Until he was outed, very publicly, which led to him being called into the Mayor's office for a meeting...

Find out more about Grady and his book My Journey to the Rainbow on his website gayandgray.net

Presented by Emma Goswell

Lucy Lou

The moment I put that dress on, I thought "I'm here!"

Lucy Lou is a trans woman who waited nearly 40 years to become the person she always was.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming...

Day

It took me all night to garner the courage but at sunrise, I came out to her

Day is an artist and writer from California.

He identifies as a gay man and is passionate about the power of rituals.

You can find out more about Day here and more about his book Hello, goodbye. 75 rituals for times of loss, celebration and change.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch...

Mark

Because I only heard the term in the playground,  I used to think "gay" meant someone who was bad at sports.

Mark Chesnut is an award-winning travel writer based in New York City.
He is also the author of the memoir Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find u...

Yo Yo

I grew up where it was illegal to be gay.  I had to write love letters to my girlfriend in code

Meet Yo Yo,  a lesbian from Malaysia, where it's illegal to be gay.  She nearly got caught when a love letter she wrote to her girlfriend was opened.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a boo...

Andrew

I don't want to be hemmed into a box.  I've done that for so many years.

Meet Andrew from Brighton, who once considered himself a "gay man" and now identifies as a "queer person".    

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

Jennie

"So many people knew they were gay from a young age, but that's just not my story""

Jennie Guay is an author who had only ever dated men when she moved from Canada to England in her late 20s.

After deciding to explore her sexuality, she set her dating profile to "seeking women" and changed her life.

Jennie's book "Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends" is available here and at all good bookshops.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam...

Jaxon

 My Dad joked "What's wrong?  Are you pregnant? Are you getting a puppy?  You're not trans are you...?"

Happy Trans Awareness Week! 

To celebrate, we'd love you to meet Prison Officer Jaxon, a trans man from Wigan in the north of England, and hear his uplifting story.

Please note:  Jaxon is very honest about his mental health and this episode contains discussions of suicide.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story...

Rob

 “I tried so hard to change who I was.  I changed the way I dressed, the way I spoke and even the way I walked.  I didn’t feel safe being myself.”

Rob is a travel expert, who you may well have seen on TV in the UK, on shows like Rip Off Britain and Morning Live.  

He identifies as gay and despite choosing to wear dresses and asking to be called “Sally” for much of his childhood, his mum still told him she had ‘no idea’ when he came out.

Serena

When I came out to my 9 year old son, he said “Mammy, that’s very brave of you”

Meet Serena, from Ireland, who came out as a lesbian later in life, just before she was due to marry the father of her two children.

Serena’s story comes with a pretty big twist at the end…

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutSto...

Happy National Coming Out Day!

October 11 is National Coming Out Day in the UK and to celebrate, we've put together a very special episode just for you!

In this instalment hear from three of our previous guests talk about how their lives have changed and moved on since we last spoke and we also discuss questions like;

Why do we still need to come out?  (Straight people don't do it!)

Is there ever an argument for not coming out?

How important  are allies from outside the LGBTQ+ co...

“From the time I was a young kid, I always felt really connected to being both male and female” 

The first episode of our brand-new season belongs to a non-binary icon!  Broadcaster Paris Munro actually has a couple of coming out stories, firstly as a lesbian, then as non-binary.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is avail...

It's been a long busy summer, but we're back with a brand new season of Coming Out Stories!  
We can't wait to share new stories with you, from fabulous folk from all over the world.

We've spoken to  people from England, Ireland, Malaysia, India, Australia, America and more!

Do follow now, to make sure you don't miss an episode and we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with your story or just to say hi! Hello@comingoutstoriespodcast.com

New season launches October 5

Emma and Sam 
x
Duration: 00:03:21

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

Oskar

“I take the view with my trans identity, that unless you’re going to get into my pants, I’m not really interested in coming out to you”  

Oskar grew up in Trinidad and identifies as trans masculine, but non binary.  In terms of their sexuality, they identify as pansexual.  Suppressing the urge to transition for 20 years had a huge impact on their mental health.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker...

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

Divina de Campo “If ever there was a little queerdo kid – it was me”

Star of The Voice and runner-up in the first ever Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Divina de Campo talks about coming out as gay and then non-binary and offers some great advice on WHEN to come out.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us...

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

Angela and Lucia 

“Doctors tried to give me a lobotomy because I was gay”  

Two absolutely incredible women tell their coming out stories and also stories of being lesbian activists in Manchester in the 1970s and how the Gay Liberation Front changed the lives of LGBT people across the country.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingout...

Jacob

“Before I go into a public toilet I have to think: is there anyone in there who could hurt me?”  

In a beautifully honest interview Jacob talks about coming out to themselves and then to their family, just four weeks before this interview.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is availab...

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

Asad

“Before you come out, you assume the worst of the people you love.  That’s really hard” 

Asad grew up in a British Pakistani Muslim household and feared the worst when coming out to his parents.  So much so, he packed a bag and had a friend wait outside in his car, ready to escape.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Ple...

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

JJ

“I was scared to tell my wife how good it felt to wear a dress” 

JJ, or Jessie, is a gas fitter from Manchester who is happily married to a woman and has two children. But they identify as non-binary or gender fluid and were terrified they would lose their family when they came out.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. ...

Ahead of a brand new season, we’re celebrating some of our favourite episodes!

Dean

“I remember regularly being called a fa**ot at just 9 years old” 

In this episode, actor and BBC Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough talks about growing up as "Gay Dean" in Belfast in the 90s and 00s 

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have...

Tracey

“I came home to find my son on the sofa with his school friend.  I could feel the chemistry between them.  It was a real lightbulb moment for me”

It’s the final episode of our “Meet the Parents” season, where you’ve been hearing from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

On this episode, meet Tracey, mum to Jake, who came out to her at 12, although he wasn’t sure how to identify.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sa...

Des

“When my sons first came out, I had to re-evaluate the ideas I had held about the lives they would lead. That took time"

On this season of Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

On this episode, meet Des, dad to not one, but two gay sons.

He now has a "Proud Father" t-shirt that he wears to P...

Sarah

“I really wish as a family we’d had conversations about LGBT+ lives with all our children much earlier on”

On this season of Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

On this episode, meet Sarah, mum to the child she affectionately calls “Noots”

When Noots came out as trans, Sarah admits she “didn’t know what to say” and went on a per...

Aruna   “He started crying and asked me 'mum, do you still love me?  Are you ashamed of me?' "
On this season of Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

On this episode, meet the supermum from Mumbai, Aruna.

She not only accepted her own son Abhishek coming out as gay, when it was still illegal in India, she went on to create an organisation...

Marilyn “I didn’t realise they were both struggling with their sexuality, although looking back, all the signs were there”

On this season of Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

On this episode, meet Marilyn. She is a single mum to a son and a daughter, who both came out to her on the very same day.  In fact, in the very same phone call!

Pr...

Bruce

“We had no idea he was crying himself to sleep every night" 

On this season of Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

Today, one of the most extraordinary changes of heart we've ever heard. 

Bruce was a Pentecostal Minister, who felt "disgusted" watching a Gay Pride parade on TV. Yet now, after an incredible journey following his own son comi...

Jackie

“I realised that the magazine I found under my son's bed was not a body building magazine..."

We’re back for Season Three!

This time on Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

Today, meet Jackie.  Around 20 years ago she set up a group supporting the parents of gay and trans children called Families Together London. She has not one...

Annie

“When my child was three she told me she didn't want to wear 'boys' clothes anymore"

We’re back for Season Three!

This time on Coming Out Stories, we’re going to “Meet the Parents!”

Over the next six episodes, you’ll hear to hear from the families of LGBTQIA+ folks about their experiences of having a child come out to them.

As ever, there will be laughter, tears, perhaps some tension, but also love and understanding.

Today, meet Annie.  She’s the proud parent of a seven-year...

Stevie

“When I came out to my mum as gay she said "Is that because you can't get a boyfriend?"

In our final episode of season two, meet Stevie!

Podcaster and musician Stevie came out twice to their family, firstly as gay, then as non-binary.

If you are the parent of an LGBTQ+ person, or you identify in that way and your parent would like to speak to us for our next season, please do get in touch, we'd love to talk!

Email: hello@comingoutstoriespodcast.com

Presented by...

Stephen

“I didn't know what intersex even meant, until I discovered it was who I am"

Founder of Surrey Pride, Stephen, only discovered he was intersex after a diagnosis of bowel cancer when he found out that his parents had chosen to raise him as a male.  

For more information on being intersex click here.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We...

Marie

“Even today, my kids say to me, Mommy, you're not gay"

Marie is a grandmother, who grew up in the Bronx in New York City and she didn't come out until her 50s.

For more information on the organisation SAGE click here

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all majo...

Alex

“I remember thinking: 'When I grow up I want to be a girl'"

Alex is a trans woman who grew up changing into dresses the moment she got home from her all-boys school, but knew it "wasn't what boys should do".

She is also the host of the "She Said, They said" podcast.

For more information on the charity Mermaids, click here

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or fin...

David

“My wife found my chatroom history, that's how I came out to her"

David spent many years married to a woman and being a stay at home dad to his children.  He didn't come out until he was 55.

He is the author of the book "How to Tell your LGBTQ+ Story"

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a bo...

Faz

“I was struggling with my identity at six years old"

Faz is a shia muslim of Pakistani heritage, who came out first as gay and then as a trans man.  He has been homeless several times throughout his life and now works as a trustee for the Albert Kennedy Trust

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out S...

Lorelei

“Discovering that I was trans gave me back my life."

Lorelei is a trans woman who lives in Bolton in England and she’s a cosplayer, musician and former musical theatre actress.  She  describes herself as a goth gremlin version of Elvira!  

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We've teamed up with London friend, the LGBT+  mental health and well being charity.<...

Melissa

“The moment she kissed me, I felt an enormous sense of relief."

Melissa Ferrick is an award-winning singer-songwriter who has released seventeen albums and shared the stage with with Morrissey, Tegan and Sara,  and many more!

They came out as queer many years ago and has recently began to identify as gender non-conforming.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and...

Aidy

“My online boyfriend turned out to be a woman!"

Aidy Smith is the Wine and Spirits columnist for The Independent and host of The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime. He grew up in Yorkshire and had to come out twice in less than a minute to his family!

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stor...

Lee

“My Dad told me as a kid, you can be anything in life, but don't be a lesbian."

This week, meet Lee, a real LA woman! Lee identifies as a lesbian, but it took her a long time to realise she was gay.  Wait until you hear what her mother-in-law had to say when she came out!  It's a Coming Out Stories first!

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on tw...

Val 

“Don't be afraid to be Muslim and gay. You can be both"

The provocatively name Val Qaeda is a Muslim drag queen who was thrown out of home for being gay.  After staying with grandparents, Val was then attacked by their grandad and forced to run away. A truly inspiring and moving story of great resilience.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Sam

“I had a revelation about my sexuality during lockdown"

Sam knew twenty years ago when she was a teenager that she was attracted to women, but it wasn't until she started an online course that she finally came out as a lesbian.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all major shop...

Ray

“I kept quiet about being gay, even to myself.  Dating some women in my teens, helped me understand who I was." 

Ray is a real-life ghost hunter who had some trouble convincing his dad he was gay, as he had previously dated women.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story.  Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all major...

Raga

“When I finally came out as a lesbian, my own mother threatened me with a knife" 

Buckle up! This is an extraordinary story of a woman who fought for decades to live her true life. Raga was brought up in India and her mother was so shocked when Raga came out, she attacked her.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

Jamie

“I couldn't see myself living as a gay man.  I was too fearful"

Out and proud musician Jamie talks about repressing his sexuality growing up and how his uncle told him he was gay, before he realised himself.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On M...

Rhian

“I was distressed about the fact that I'm asexual for a very long time"

In a first for Coming Out Stories, we speak to Rhian about being asexual. She discusses how it took a while for her to understand what being asexual meant and how she found her community.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book!  Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Wat...

Kestral

“I would rather run around naked than wear the 'boy' clothes I was given"

Kestral identifies as a queer trans woman, who told us she questioned her identity from the age of four

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.co...

Leighton

“I was too scared to go to my own father's funeral"

This time,  you'll hear from Leighton, who grew up in England but has family in Nigeria, where it's still illegal to be gay.  His family challenged his sexuality after seeing a facebook post.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd...

Claire

“Telling my daughter was such a weight off my shoulders"

Claire didn't come out as trans until her mid 40s when she had to tell both her wife and her teenage daughter.

Please be aware this interview may be triggering as it mentions both transphobia and sexual abuse.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by...

"Coming Out Stories" X "The Euro Trip"!   In a special bonus episode, we've got together with our friends at the best Eurovision podcast you might never have heard of, The Euro Trip!
  Emma chats to hosts

Presented by Emma Goswell

Eleanor

“I went on a date with a man who I had convinced myself was perfect and told myself - if it doesn't work,  then you're gay"

This time,  you'll hear from graphic artist and author Eleanor Crewes, the woman behind the book "The Times I Knew I Was Gay"

Eleanor went to great lengths to confirm her sexuality!

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Prod...

Coming Out Stories is back! 

A quick hello from Emma and Sam to let you know about some of the incredible people we've spoken to for season two - launching April 7!

Don't forget our book is out!  You can order now from Amazon, Blackwells,  Waterstones or to support independent bookshops from Bookshops.org

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR sto...

Coming Out Stories the book is.....Coming Out!

A very special episode in which presenter Emma Goswell and producer Sam Walker discuss the forthcoming Coming Out Stories book! They talk about a number of topics including:

* Why it's still important to come out in 2021

* What to do if you get a reaction you weren't expecting

* Why celebrities coming out is still importnat

*  How people can be beter allies to the LGBTQ+ community

* Stories that have really stuck with us

The book is out on January 21. Y...

Michael Gunning

“I suppressed so many feelings for so long. I just didn't want to be seen as any different from the other competitive swimmers."

There aren't many professional athletes who are out, but the amazing swimmer @MichaelGunning1 is brave enough to compete internationally as an out gay man.

He talks to us about coming out on national television, after realising, on a bisexual dating show, that he wasn't bisexual at all!

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on In...

Tim

“I always thought there must be something wrong with me”

Timothy Tsai grew up in Taiwan in the 60s and 70s and knew he had to 'escape' to the USA, where he would feel safer as a gay man. He travelled all over the world until, in Hong Kong, he met and fell in love with a Welshman! He now lives in Pembrokeshire

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes...

Donnya Piggott

“I fancied women, so thought I was bisexual. I 'obviously' fancied men too I told myself, as that's what I was supposed to do”

Donnya is a queer woman and LGBTQ+ rights activist from Barbados.  She struggled with being the sort of woman she thought other people wanted her to be.  She loved playing sport and didn't like dressing in a super-feminine way, so she entered a beauty contest - which just put her a lot closer to a lot of women!

In her early 20s she founded BGLAD which supports  LGBTQ +...

Divina de Campo

“If ever there was a little queerdo kid – it was me”

Star of The Voice and runner-up in the first ever Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Divina de Campo talks about coming out as gay and then non-binary and offers some great advice on WHEN to come out.

Presented by @EmmaGoswell

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find...

"I accidentally texted my mum instead of my boyfriend"

Phil is a pilot, originally from South Africa.  A mix up with a text message nearly made him come out  before he was ready.  He talks about growing up gay in South Africa and what it was like to be gay whilst living in the Middle East

Find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on...

“My brother found out my secret when he opened my post”

Rachel identifies as being “partially gender-fluid” or a “cross dresser” In the 1980s she used to order clothes and shoes from what was then called a “transvestite catalogue”

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | A...

“My straight brother took me to gay bars, to make sure I was safe”

TV weather presenter and celebrity drummer Owain Wyn Evans, found that his parents took some time to understand that he was gay, as they didn’t know any other LGBTQ+ people.  But it was his brother’s reaction that really surprised him.

Find us on Instagram @comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter...

“If I could turn back time and come out as trans at 20, then I would.  Waiting nearly killed me”

Kayden is a queer trans man, who first  came out as a lesbian at the age of 15. He didn’t realise he was trans until he was 20, but it then took him ten long hard years to finally become the man he is today.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter...

“She asked me if I was gay and I just said “Yes!” I couldn’t believe I had actually said it”

Jessie grew up in Essex and struggled to come out as a lesbian at school, until a very fateful trip to London and the nightclub Heaven.

Follow us!

Twitter: @comeoutstories

Instagram: comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutSt...

"I reclaimed the words bullies used to throw at me for being gay"

Successful make up artist Patrick grew up in Northern Ireland where he was relentlessly bullied for being gay.

Follow us!

Twitter: @comeoutstories

Instagram: comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

“I ran away from home and found my queer family”

Tim Sigsworth MBE is the Chief Executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust.  Like a lot of the young people he now helps, Tim had a very hard time coming out as his family were far from understanding.

After coming out of a coma in 2016, Tim realised who his true family really were

Follow us!

Twitter: @comeoutstories

Instagram: comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get i...

“I never thought I would have the courage to tell my parents who I am"

Asifa Lahore is Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen. She now identifies as a trans woman, but first came out as a gay man.

She really struggled coming out and was even pressured to get into an arranged marriage

Follow us!

Twitter: @comeoutstories

Instagram: comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find...

“I will never forget the dead look in my mother’s eyes when I told her”

Writer, broadcaster and political commentator Iain Dale didn’t come out until later in life. He does have some regrets about waiting for so long, but once he did as he puts it  “There was absolutely no going back!”

Follow us!

Twitter: @comeoutstories

Instagram: comingoutstoriespod

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @C...

Ed is a writer and LGBT+ travel expert Boston.  He kept his sexuality a secret until he was inspired to come out by other LGBT+ students at Harvard

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media P...

Poet, comedian and theatre maker Jackie Hagan identifies as bisexual, or queer.  She has a very unique list of her first childhood crushes!

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production