Andrea and Harvey

8 02 2010

Andrea and Harvey talk about having a gay daughter and what their reactions were when she first came out. Both Andrea and Harvey are extremely supportive of their daughter, Becca, and never had any doubts about her capabilities. Their take on having a gay child is, unfortunately, not very common, but they hope to inspire other parents to have an open mind and create a dialogue with their sons and daughters. The bottom line for them is that love and health always prevails when it comes to children. If your child is healthy and happy, their sexuality should not be an issue. Andrea and Harvey are remarkable in their strength, candor, and compassion. Parents everywhere should follow their lead and provide their children with the love, support, and understanding that they deserve.





Becca

31 01 2010



Becca grew up in Canton, MA, and now lives in New York City working at a non-profit film production company as an Executive Assistant/Associate Producer. She is the founder of the I Want the World to Know Initiative and is proud to finally share her coming out story with the world at the 10 month anniversary of the website. Becca was lucky in that she faced very few obstacles coming out to her family and friends. However, she recognized that most people are not as fortunate, often being tormented by peers, shunned by their families, or worse. For that reason, she decided to create a space–this website–where people of all sexualities can share their stories and find support. This video project is by far one of the most important and rewarding endeavors Becca has ever taken on. Its goal is not only to provide guidance and support, but also to educate and bring the LGBTQ community together. Becca will continue to share these stories and build this initiative until everyone feels safe to come out.





Lynn and Cathy

11 01 2010

In August 2009, actress/vlogger/therapist Cathy DeBuono invited her mother, Lynn, to talk about her experience dealing with Cathy’s sexuality on her live vlog “What’s Your Problem?” When Cathy first came out to her mother, she did not receive the reaction she thought she would get. Lynn was surprised, confused, and angry. She moved through many different stages of grief including feelings of confusion, guilt, and mourning the loss of the child she thought she knew. Though it took her a few years to fully accept and understand Cathy’s life, she is now one of her daughter’s biggest fans! Lynn urges young people to be patient with their families but to never tolerate living in the closet. She believes that everyone should come out and live full, honest lives. Lynn is the perfect example of a parent struggling with their own “coming out” experience: coming out to support and accept their LGBTQ son or daughter. Lynn, you are a true inspiration for everyone! You can watch Cathy’s coming out story here.





Cat

6 01 2010

Cat Davis is a hilarious out stand-up comedian and beautiful, uber-smart gay lady. Her positive energy is contagious, and her humor is both inviting and quick. Cat grew up in Indiana where she encountered a lot of pressure to date boys. In high school, she began to realize that she might be gay but didn’t come out until she was 20 and in college. Cat had a very positive experience coming out at an East-Coast Ivy League university where she was a member of a sorority. She describes the women in her sorority as 100% supportive despite their many diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Cat also talks about the incredibly moving experience of coming out to her grandmother. Cat’s story is both serious and funny, strong and emotional. Please watch her fabulous story and check out her hysterical comedy at:
Cat’s MySpace page
Cat on the Prowl on AfterEllen
Cat on DanceMagic (Brunch with Bridget)
Cat’s Twitter





Jess

3 01 2010

Jess is a fabulous gay lady from New York. She grew up on Long Island and now works in the city as a web designer. She also writes for a fantastic website, Autostraddle, “an intelligent, hilarious & provocative voice and a progressive international online community for a new generation of kickass lesbian, bisexual & otherwise inclined ladies.” Jess first realized she was gay at the end of high school, and she came out to her friends and family in college. Jess loves being part of a smaller and more intimate community and believes her gayness has provided her with a more profound connection with those around her. Please watch Jess’s wonderful story! Feel free to follow Jess @jessxnyc on Twitter!





Cathy

20 12 2009

Cathy DeBuono, a New York native, is a woman of many talents: she was a volleyball superstar at the University of Kentucky, is a licensed therapist, an incredible actress, AND she created the CDB Network online where women from all over the world can connect and find support. To say Cathy is remarkable is an understatement. She is a great role model for lesbians, young and old, everywhere and takes that job very seriously. Although she is at the forefront of the gay community and is gracing the cover of BOUND, a lesbian magazine from Australia next month, it took years for her to live an openly gay life within her family. Cathy’s mother was very resistant to her daughter’s circle of friends and partners for a long time, which made it impossible to bring her “gayness” home. Today, Cathy’s mother is one of her greatest supporters and even frequents Cathy’s live vlogs on Shewired. Cathy’s beauty is both internal and external, and her honesty is truly inspirational. Please check out her fantastic projects:
We Have to Stop Now
The CDB Network
The Gloves Are Off
What’s Your Problem?
Cathy DeBuono Official Website





Jill

17 12 2009

Jill Bennett is a gorgeous, talented, and remarkably intelligent out actress in Hollywood. Originally from Indiana, Jill studied theater at Bradley University in Illinois and came out to her friends and family at 19. Although it took her mom a few years to accept her sexuality, Jill, courageously, never made any apologies for living her life the way she knew she should. For this reason, among many, she is a huge role model in the lesbian community. The support and dedication that she has for her many adoring fans proves that she also has an enormous heart. Jill is unafraid of sharing her opinions with the world, which makes her a fearless leader for so many women who are scared to come out. Jill’s story is powerful and inspiring; her tenacity and courage are awe-inspiring, and she is undoubtedly making a huge difference in the world and in the LGBTQ community by simply being herself and fighting for what she believes in. Please watch Jill’s story and check out her incredible projects here:
We Have To Stop Now
The Gloves Are Off on SheWired
3Way
Jill Bennett Online





Emma

17 12 2009

Emma, 21, is a university student in the UK. She came out for the first time as a four-year-old when the male student teacher caught her smooching her friend. The second time Emma came out was 1 year ago, and this video marks the 1 year anniversary of her coming out to her mother. Emma’s strength and honesty are remarkable, and her ability to embrace her true self is totally inspiring. She says she has never been as happy as she is today because she is out and living her life to the fullest. Please watch Emma share her coming out story! Truly, she is unbelievable!





Andrew, Dan, and Vivienne

15 11 2009

Andrew and Dan met about 8 months after they came out to their families and friends while they were in college. Andrew told his family he was gay before submitting a story about it to a UCLA student publication, and Dan first came out to his grandmother, who was a great source of support from the beginning. Both attended UCLA, and Dan describes leading a double life in college due to the fact that he hid his homosexuality from his fraternity brothers. Today, Andrew and Dan are the proud parents of Vivienne, a vivacious and very bright four-year-old. She is beautiful and articulate. It is obvious that she is thriving in a home full of love, support, and strong family values. Her Papa and Daddy, as she calls them, are your everyday Los Angeles parents who bring their child to school, take her Disneyland and Lego Land. Please watch and enjoy their wonderful story!





Jason

25 10 2009

Jason Stuart has been making people laugh out loud with his hysterical performances all over the country since coming out in 1993. He has accomplished what few other gay comics have ever achieved: brutal honesty with humor in a world that’s not always kind. Not only is Jason an all-out crowd pleaser, but he transcends the boundaries of race, gender and sexual orientation with his edgy comedic style. Jason’s material about his experiences as a single Jewish gay man living in Hollywood is original, cutting edge and just plain funny. Jason has appeared in hundreds of film/TV projects including The Closer, Will & Grace, George Lopez, Everybody Hates Chris, House, M.D., It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kindergarten Cop, Vegas Vacation, and HBO hit, Gia.

Support Jason by visiting his website where you can find all of his up to date news and appearances:
http://jasonstuart.com/index.htm