Everyone's journey to self-actualization is unique. During October and for National Coming Out Day, The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network publishes new stories from courageous individuals in the South Coast that we hope will inspire others to take the important step of revealing who they truly are. With our "Out of the Shadows" campaign we want to convey the message that, although coming out can be a difficult experience for some, it can pave the way for a happy and fulfilled life of authenticity.
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THIS IS TORY"I want you to know I'll be your tribe," promises Victoria Rose in this emotional interview we recorded for National Coming Out Day. Tory recently relocated to Massachusetts from her home state of Texas to escape repression, rejection, and hostility. With online information and social media tools not available to help her early in her journey, coming out for Tory was fraught with fear and uncertainty. Being raised in a rigid, anti-LGTBQ+, religious environment only complicated and delayed the process well into her adulthood. Tory is at peace with herself now but she wishes she had come out sooner. She is determined, at 43, to help those around her embrace their authentic selves as soon as they are able.
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THIS IS TONIANNE"Instead of seeing it as losing a son, I hope one day my mother sees it as gaining a daughter." Growing up in a Chinese family with strict cultural beliefs, Tonianne went through a difficult phase with her mother in the early phases of her transition from man to woman, especially during the confinement of the pandemic when they had no escape from the uncomfortable truths they shared. Tonianne has blossomed since coming out to everyone in her life - even mom has started to show her support in subtle ways - and she credits love and patience for her progress as an LGBTQ+ individual.
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this is mijaAs people everywhere celebrate their coming-out journeys in October, we are shining a light on the parents and guardians of LGBTQ+ family members. For many of them, the decision to openly share that their kid is LGBTQ+ can be difficult due to fear of judgment, stigma, and their circle’s pre-conceived beliefs. Hearing how people made the often life-changing decision to share their experiences will hopefully inspire others to many people in our community to come "out of the shadows," too. This is Mija's story.
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THIS IS ANTONIO"It is light, it is love, it is everything you've been denying yourself for a long time." South Coast resident Antonio (he/him) talks about his coming-out history - from his initial encounters overseas, to his revelation to his sisters and ailing father, to the negative experiences in the workplace he had to overcome, Antonio covers the full spectrum of emotions in his journey to happiness and self-acceptance. While he believes that coming out provides incredible life-affirming benefits, Antonio acknowledge that, for some, coming out is not always a safe choice. For those individuals, Antonio's advice is to stay proud and "stay strong."
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THIS IS JOANIESouth Coast native Joanie (she/her) tells us how she came out in her 30's but wishes she hadn't let the fear of being ostracized prevent her from coming out sooner. "It was just a huge weight off my shoulders," she recalls. "And the best advice I can give is to 'rip the Band-Aid off' and approach the person you're most afraid of telling your story to." Thankfully, her family and co-workers have all responded positively. Joanie is at the age now where she is thinking about what her future holds, and she hopes people will be as kind and supportive to her as she grows older as they have been during a journey which began years ago.
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The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization P.O. Box 8473 New Bedford, MA 02740 (774) 775-2656 |