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I may not know exactly what your journey feels like, but I want you to know I see you, I support you, and I’m here to stand with you every step of the way.

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Coming out is not a single moment—it’s a personal process that can take courage, trust, and time. For some, it feels safe and empowering; for others, it may feel daunting or even risky.

As an ally, I want to acknowledge the strength it takes to share who you are.

This is a reminder for me, and for all of us, to continue creating spaces where people feel supported, listened to, and free to be themselves in their own time and their own way.

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Everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated - no matter who they love.

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Telling your family is one thing but you’re constantly having to assess if it is safe to come out in different situations in everyday life, whether you’re at work, in public transport, on holiday or at the supermarket. You have to assess if it’s safe to show affection to your partner by small gestures in public places like holding their hand, putting in your arm around them or a little peck on the cheek. Allies, please help us feel more comfortable in being ourselves, please wear your rainbow lanyard, a rainbow pin or anything that says you’re an ally. We see you, we appreciate you and we we thank you for your support!

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It is hard to imagine the courage, strength, determination and resilience necessary to have to constantly consider whether it is safe to be your authentic self in every new environment, every new workplace, every new social setting or event. I will continue to display symbols of inclusion and contribute to creating safe spaces together where everyone can thrive.

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I admire the courage from coworkers Who speak up from the community. You may not feel it now but you are a role model for others. Thanks for speaking up.

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I found the strength and courage to be my true self at the age of 33. " Coming out" is not a term I like to use as it is very personal and one of the toughest, courage's life changing choice to make. A choice which would then free me to be "my TRUE self" Everyone is on their own journey but when you do find your strength, I like many others are here to be that voice of support and applaud you for being brave to stand up and say "THIS IS ME" Love is Love, you are who you are, be proud XXXXX

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I think I realised I was part of the LGBTQIA+ community when I was around 15, but I didn't know anyone from the community and I had no mentors when I was growing up, so it took a great deal of courage for me to come out to my parents and family at 18 - just as I was finishing high school. My parents didn't accept me, and I had to leave home. Whilst this was a very difficult time in my life, it gave me a huge amount of personal resilience, and it made me realise I could rely on myself for strength. Fortunately, I found the LGBTQIA+ community and made some amazing friends who I still have today - some 20 years later! I also reconciled with my parents a couple of years after coming out, so it does really get better. The community is amazing and you will find your space - enjoy the journey and always look up :)

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This is my testimony. Change is real, but it’s never secure. Progress can be rolled back. Don’t take it for granted, and don’t give up when things get hard.

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This trans elder enjoyed immense progress on trans rights in the UK. Then the backlash started. - LGBTQ Nation

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“Change is real, but it’s never secure. Progress can be rolled back. Don’t take it for granted, and don’t give up when things get hard.”

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I am proud of each and every person who had the courage to be their true selves. Be who you are. You only have one life to live, so live it proudly.

Even if it doesn't always feel like it, there are people rooting for you and will be there to lend a helping hand and/or support. Look for the helpers and if you can't find one, be one :)

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Brave humans are rays of sunshine. Whether you're in the LGBTQ+ community or a fabulous ally, I see you, and gosh am I grateful to you. More than ever, our world needs us to celebrate differences and the beauty and cleverness of diverse perspectives. As a gay female leader, I know the world sometimes receives me in a way that's different... I know there can be invisible walls, ceilings and boundaries. And goodness do I ignore that, and them. I also recognise that displaying courage and bravery takes serious energy. Confidence. Grit. Determination. If you're coming out now, or reflecting on what coming out has meant for you, please know that you're not alone. I've got your back, as have many others. If your grit and determination battery is ever running low, tap into our community and collective. Between us, we're hella powerful.

.... Stay Sunshine, you beautiful people.

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Coming out everyday and the challenges around safety 

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Coming out everyday and the challenges around safety 

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Coming out as a lesbian can be a powerful and affirming step, but it often comes with challenges—especially around safety, both emotional and physical. Here's a short overview from my perspective :

🌈 The Experience of Coming Out

Coming out is deeply personal. It can bring relief, authenticity, and stronger relationships—but also fear of rejection, discrimination, or even violence, depending on the environment.

🔐 Safety Challenges

Workplace Risks: Fear of bias, microaggressions, or being passed over for opportunities.

Family and Social Reactions: Some face rejection or strained relationships.

Physical Safety: In certain regions or communities, coming out can expose individuals to harassment or violence.

Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, or isolation may arise, especially if support systems are lacking.

🛡️ Protective Strategies

Assess the Environment: Gauge how safe and supportive your surroundings are before coming out.

Build a Support Network: Trusted friends, LGBTQ+ groups, or allies can provide strength and guidance.

Know Your Rights: Familiarise yourself with anti-discrimination laws and workplace policies.

Use Internal Resources: Many organisations (possibly including yours) have D&I teams, employee resource groups, or confidential support channels.

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As an ally, i don't know the pain that you have experienced but I promise you, I am here to listen, and I care. Every sunrise is a blessing and an opportunity to surround ourselves by positive people who can support us with love and healthy ways to reach the ultimate goal: peace in our hearts and minds. You are not alone.

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and that's okay! You never truly discover yourself all at once, and to this day, I keep finding out who am I and what I want. I knew I was gay from a young age, but finding out I'm also non-binary so many years later was as strange as my first experience.

Never stop trying to be your true self, never compromise who you are because others say you shouldn't exist, and always support your fellow LGBTQIA+ members. When we stand together, there is nothing we can't accomplish!

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I didn’t know much about this subject until my son first brought it up. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he was trying to tell me—I only knew he was unhappy and didn’t feel like himself. That led me to take time to learn. I researched the words people use, asked questions, and sought out information through Google, Facebook groups, and friends. That’s when I began to truly understand what being trans means.

Now, my daughter—who proudly goes by Sara—can be herself around me without fear of judgment. My role is simple: to listen, to support, and to ask, “How can I help you?” Sara leads the way in our conversations, and I follow. Whatever she wants to share, I embrace. She is a strong woman, and I am proud to walk beside her on this journey.

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I've had my coming out nearly 30 years ago, after a very lonely and scary time, where I had to figure out all by myself what the hell was wrong with me. My parents never understood nor fully accepted me being gay, I was "tolerated", but could never talk about what was going on in my life.

Now I'm in my fifties, my parents passed away, and I'm finally free of this burden to please my family. It's been a bumpy road, but I have the most amazing husband for 28 years, and a wonderful chosen family. So coming out can be scary, but in the end, I'm so glad I had the courage to show the world who I truly am.

Gert

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I strongly believe we all have the right to live our lives and not to have to explain ourselves to anyone. I am not a part of the community, but an ally you can always count on. Human rights are the same for all humans, I hope one day this will be practice too, not theory only!

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I want to live in a world where orientation is not a topic, where it is something natural, respected and embraced. Only then can we create a truly safe space where LGBTQ+ people don’t need to prove that we deserve the same rights, to be treated as equal human beings, where loving someone of the same gender isn’t seen as something unusual or shameful.

Coming out requires courage, and just as much, it requires resilience. Resilience to misunderstandings, awkward smiles, or moments of exclusion. Many of us are also neurodiverse, which adds another layer to what we carry every day.

Reading all the voices of support here makes me feel grateful and hopeful. Every message of empathy helps make that dream of an inclusive world a bit more real.