NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — October 11 is National Coming Out Day, but like many things, the annual awareness day looks different this year due to the pandemic.
Carla Lewis, a leader in the trans community in Nashville, says coming out is a difficult process.
Lewis says those in the LGBTQ community are afraid to be discriminated against simply for living their truth.
"It does take a lot of courage to be yourself," she said.
For Brian Sullivan, he was 19 years old when he first came out to his parents but he says coming out isn't a one and done thing.
"Back when I came out it was this sort of dreadful negative thing," Sullivan said. "One of the biggest misconceptions about coming out is you do it once and its this huge big dramatic thing and then it's over but that's not the case. It's a process you have with you throughout your life. I came out in several situations and aspects of my life."
While our country has come a long way when it comes to LGBTQ rights and breaking down stigma, there's still more to be done.
In a recent poll released by The Trevor Project, more than 40% of LGBTQ youth reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their ability to express their LGBTQ identity. One-third said they were unable to express themselves at home.
Sullivan says he understands that fear, adding that when he first came out he actually entered conversion therapy.
Regretful of that choice now, Sullivan said it took him some time to realize that being gay isn't a bad thing. Instead, it was his truth and his strength as an advocate.
"I was made this way because I could not do certain things have I not been made to understand this concept and part of who I am," Sullivan said. "I'm so thankful that I was made this way."
Coming out can be scary, but advocates say it's important to come out on your own time and you get to choose who is a part of your story.
If you're part of the LGBTQ community and interested in learning more about resources available to you, here is a list:
- Trevor Project: https://www.facebook.com/TheTrevorProject/ [facebook.com]
- Tennessee Equality Project:https://www.facebook.com/TennesseeEqualityProject/ [facebook.com]
- Nashville LGBT Chamber: https://www.facebook.com/NashLGBTcc/ [facebook.com]
