Could you use something uplifting right now? I sure could—and a short new video that celebrates LGBTQ elders and youth champions is putting a smile on my face this National Coming Out Day.
“Be You” reminds us of the incredible age diversity of the LGBTQ community as participants answer the question “What makes you, you?” It’s a project of SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders; GenderCool, a movement to showcase stories of transgender and non-binary youth; and Dell Technologies. The elders include “Mama” Gloria Allen, a 74-year-old Black transgender woman who transitioned before Stonewall and later, in her 60s, started a charm school for transgender youth in Chicago. The youth include Gia, a rising 17-year-old high school senior who transitioned before the start of eighth grade and then was named captain of her co-ed middle school’s championship cross country team. She’s also her high school’s second highest-ever field hockey goal scorer and has held numerous leadership positions in her student government, the Gay-Straight Alliance Club, the Peace Project, and Family, Career and Community Service Leaders of America.
Watch the video below, then learn more about the elders here and about the youth (and other GenderCool champions) here.
For another great short video today, check out “Proud Parent,” by PFLAG and Oreo, about a young woman bringing her girlfriend to meet her straight parents for the first time. While I usually focus on queer parents, this is too sweet a story to miss. (And yes, say what you will about corporate America, but many companies have supported LGBTQ people by funding our organizations, supporting equality-minded legislation, and giving us benefits even before the government did.)
Looking for some National Coming Out Day (or any day) tips on coming out after parenthood?
- Check out my 2015 piece on “Coming Out and Being Out as a Lesbian Mom,” where I share some of my own story and offer a few resources that may be helpful for queer parents more broadly.
- In Lauren Rowello’s piece in the Washington Post last Friday, “How LGBTQ parents can handle coming out to their children,” she talks about being the spouse of a transgender woman and speaks with several other queer parents about their experiences coming out to their kids.