Coming Out Stories

Born into strict Muslim traditions in Syria and raised in Jordan, Luma is a beacon of hope and courage for all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Her personal coming out story is complex; spanning cultures, religions, and generations. As a young adult in a country where being gay was considered a crime, Luma came out to her parents and was disowned, it took many years until her own daughter played a pivotal role in reconciling their family. Luma is also testament to the importance of chosen families within the LGBTQ+ community. Luma is also the founder of Fugees Family, a non-profit that aids child survivors of war and Luma shares how her personal coming out experience positively impacts her work. Check out her inspiring TED talk here. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

From Nigeria to the UK, Reverend Jide's Macaulay, otherwise known as the 'happy, holy homosexual,' reveals his life's story. From braving patriarchy and toxic masculinity in Nigeria to enduring conversion therapy in London, Jide's testimony is nothing short of inspiring. His deep-seated faith in God and in himself, and his relentless pursuit of acceptance, not only for himself but for the entire LGBTQ+ community, shine through his story. Jide outlines his journey into Christian ministry and challenges the often-misinterpreted biblical verses referring to same-sex relationships. We also delve into the harsh realities faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria, highlighting the need for a shift in societal perception. Finally, Jide shares his strong commitment to positive change through his organisation, House of Rainbow. We discuss the damaging effects of conversion therapy and his own father's involvement in creating anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Nigeria. Despite these obstacles, Jide's unwavering resilience and determination to spread positivity and acceptance make this an episode you simply cannot miss! Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

What does it take to live authentically in the face of adversity and societal norms? Juno Roche is an iconic figure in the transgender community and a notable author. With a life composed of resilience, identity, and transformation, Juno has a wealth of experiences - from growing up in a tough family to navigating the world of LGBTQ+ culture during the 70s-80s, and discovering her true self amidst personal challenges. In this conversation you'll hear about Juno's childhood experiences, her battle for identity, and the challenges she faced as a transgender person in a prejudiced society. Her story moves from being a functioning drug addict during her younger adulthood, to her diagnosis with HIV that led to a turning point in her life and identity. Her fight is tangible, her spirit unbroken, and her journey profound. Find out more about Juno and their work here Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Get ready for a heart-stirring journey as we welcome you back to a brand-new season of Coming Out Stories. After a (rather long) pause, we're returning with a line-up of extraordinary stories that transcend across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, painting a picture of resilience, hope, and love. Be captivated by the story of a brave gay priest standing against all odds, including his own father, to fight for LGBT rights in Nigeria. Meet Juno Roche, a transgender woman whose life journey is as awe-inspiring as the script of a Hollywood blockbuster. Join us on the emotional rollercoaster as we share the experiences of Verity, a trans man and rugby player, and Luma, a Syrian lesbian. Verity's life took a dramatic turn, leading him from the rugby field to a wheelchair. He now works tirelessly with the trans charity Mermaids, striving to challenge the detrimental atmosphere surrounding trans community in sports and beyond. Luma's story showcases her resilience and determination as she sought asylum in the US due to her sexuality, finding a new community in an alien land. Each story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, filled with threads of love, hope, and positivity. Don't forget to check out our book, Coming Out Stories, which now also comes in a Welsh edition. We're excited to bring you an unforgettable season of inspiring stories! Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Kit: I never understood why all my friends were obsessed with boys. Then I came out, fell in love with women and lost my mind! In this, the final episode of season four, meet Kit from London. It took Kit a little while to realise she was a lesbian and she didn't come out until she was 30. Follow Kit on twitter for news on where to catch her show 30 and Out. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Valentino: My family simply didn't know how to raise a gay child Valentino grew up as a gay man and now identifies as being gender fluid, and whilst they are currently living in Manchester, England they were born and raised in Bermuda. They have quite the life story and this episode only really begins to scratch the surface. Please be aware: This story contains descriptions of sexual activity and is centered around the subject of being groomed. You may find some of the content uncomfortable or triggering. For more onformation about Valentino's work, visit djvalentinocartier.com And for more information on Bermuda Pride, visit their website. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Dharma: The teacher told me to play with the other boys, but I knew I wasn't a boy. It was a secret I kept for a long time. Dharma Kelleher is a pansexual crime writer, based in Phoneix, Arizona who puts lesbians and trans women at the heart of her novels. She grew up in a small town just outside Atlanta. She knew as a very young child that she was trans. Find out more about Dharma's work here. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Clifford: My dad suggested conversion therapy and I let him sit with that idea, I was literally the first gay person he knew. Clifford is our first sapio sexual storyteller. A real world citizen, he is of Indian heritage, had a Catholic upbringing in Dubai in now lives in Australia. He speaks about what being sapio sexual means to him and how his family reacted to his coming out as gay. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

In this very special eisode, we're sharing an intervew we did with Brad Shreve on his excellent podcast Queer We Are, a show where Brad talks to entertainers, activists, politicians, artists, athletes, and more of the most interesting LGBTQ people from diverse backgrounds. We hope you enjoy it! Find out more about Brad and Queer We Are Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Brad: For more than 30 years I convinced myself "I can't be gay. I will change someday" In this episode, we're back in the United States, to the Californian desert to meet Brad. Brad didn’t come out until his 30s, by which stage he had married a woman and had had a child. Brad also came out in a way that we've never spoken about on this podcast before... Find out more about Brad and his podcast Queer We Are You can find out more about The Trevor Project here Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

EJ: I’ve had quite the internal war about how I identify. I don’t want to use the labels that society gives us! EJ is a young person who lives in a small town in Ohio, USA. They identify as a gender queer masc lesbian. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Andrew: I told myself that being bisexual was just a phase. It was not! Andrew identifies as bisexual. He hails from Scotland and is behind the LGBTQ+ sports website Pride of the Terraces. Although he is now very open about his sexuality, it was a big decision for him to come out in a newspaper. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Grady Grady Throneberry is the first openly gay police chief in Kentucky. He didn't come out until his sixties and what a story he has to tell! Married to a woman, with grown up daughters, he lived in his words as a "straight, conservative man" until 2018. Until he was outed, very publicly, which led to him being called into the Mayor's office for a meeting... Find out more about Grady and his book My Journey to the Rainbow on his website gayandgray.net Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Lucy Lou The moment I put that dress on, I thought "I'm here!" Lucy Lou is a trans woman who waited nearly 40 years to become the person she always was. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Day It took me all night to garner the courage but at sunrise, I came out to her Day is an artist and writer from California. He identifies as a gay man and is passionate about the power of rituals. You can find out more about Day here and more about his book Hello, goodbye. 75 rituals for times of loss, celebration and change. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Mark Because I only heard the term in the playground, I used to think "gay" meant someone who was bad at sports. Mark Chesnut is an award-winning travel writer based in New York City. He is also the author of the memoir Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Yo Yo I grew up where it was illegal to be gay. I had to write love letters to my girlfriend in code Meet Yo Yo, a lesbian from Malaysia, where it's illegal to be gay. She nearly got caught when a love letter she wrote to her girlfriend was opened. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Andrew I don't want to be hemmed into a box. I've done that for so many years. Meet Andrew from Brighton, who once considered himself a "gay man" and now identifies as a "queer person". Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Jennie "So many people knew they were gay from a young age, but that's just not my story"" Jennie Guay is an author who had only ever dated men when she moved from Canada to England in her late 20s. After deciding to explore her sexuality, she set her dating profile to "seeking women" and changed her life. Jennie's book "Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends" is available here and at all good bookshops. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Jaxon My Dad joked "What's wrong? Are you pregnant? Are you getting a puppy? You're not trans are you...?" Happy Trans Awareness Week! To celebrate, we'd love you to meet Prison Officer Jaxon, a trans man from Wigan in the north of England, and hear his uplifting story. Please note: Jaxon is very honest about his mental health and this episode contains discussions of suicide. Presented by Emma Goswell Produced by Sam Walker We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now! JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production