This is Fernando Menjiva’s story about coming out to his parents. He posted this video on youtube on his 18th birthday on June 15, 2009. Though his family supports him, coming out to them was not easy. As the oldest son, he was expected to “protect” his sister. Also, because Fernando’s parents are divorced, he had to tell them separately. As a child, his father called him “Champion,” but his sister couldn’t pronounce the word and called him “Chappis” instead, which has been his nickname ever since. He has been video-blogging for four years and feels he has improved quite a bit over time. Please watch Fernando’s story. It is truly beautiful. His strength and courage are evident in his remarkable ability to be open about his sexuality at such a young age.
Posts Tagged ‘identity’
Oliver
Oliver’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Oliver grew up in the small college town of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. When he was coming out in the 1960s, he faced several hardships including constant bullying by his classmates in school and the hush-hush gay underground community where meetings were secret and often sexually motivated. Because the concept of being gay was so taboo, Oliver contemplated suicide as a way to end the nightmarish situation of being “the class queer” without a gay support network. However, when Oliver moved to New York City at age 23 in 1976 (7 years after the Stonewall riots), he found a thriving and vibrant gay community that was both political and outspoken and one where he fit in perfectly. Oliver currently lives with his partner, Stanley, in Queens and has participated in gay mentoring groups, which he believes, when organized correctly, can be an incredible resource for LGBTQ youth.
Ellen, 35
Ellen’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Ellen, a Connecticut native, came out to her mom when she was 17 after she learned that her girlfriend was being kicked out of her home by her suspicious mother. Though Ellen’s mom “could be a PFLAG mom” today, it took years for her to realize that Ellen’s attraction to women was more than just a phase. Ellen’s father is also extremely supportive and relays gay-related stories to his daughter when he catches them on TV or in the newspaper. Ellen currently lives in Brooklyn with her 2 cats and plans on getting married in the future.
Alex, 25
Alex’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Alex grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, and first came out to his brother when he was 15. His family is supportive, but Alex’s parents initially did not want him to come out in high school for fear he would be known as the “gay kid.” Alex finally came out to his peers in college at Tufts University. Alex became involved in many LGBTQ organizations in college and discovered he felt most comfortable defining himself as queer. Today he lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is very active in social advocacy groups including JFREJ (www.jfrej.org).
Eric
Eric’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Eric grew up in a small suburban town in a very religious home. From a young age, he was taught that being gay was wrong and something that could be “overcome” by praying and following the bible. However, when Eric reached his twenties he realized that being gay was nothing to be ashamed of, nor something that he could “fix.” Although coming out to his family was difficult, he says that time heals all wounds and that he has never been more supported or loved by his family today. Eric believes that coming out is the best thing that a gay person can do for him or herself because it enables people to be who they are meant to be.
Betsy, 26
Betsy’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Betsy, a Boston native, currently lives in New York City and is about to finish her Masters degree in Educational Theatre at NYU. She first realized she might be gay when she was 14 and wrote it down on a piece of paper in the school nurse’s office, which she still has to this day. However, Betsy didn’t act on those feelings until her freshman year of college. Betsy is now more confident than ever and believes that her sexuality is just a small piece of what makes her who she is.
Casey
Casey’s Coming Out Story from I Want the World to Know on Vimeo.
Casey, a Harvard graduate, now lives in New York City. She came out when she was 14 to her sister at a Grateful Dead concert and then to her parents at age 16. Her first girlfriend was her sister’s best friend. Casey has always been supported by her family, though she urges young people to be patient with their parents as they come to terms with having a gay son or daughter.
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