LGBTQ Folks Share Their ‘Gayest’ Childhood Photos

We’re hearing a lot more coming out stories lately with happy endings – stories about parents loving and accepting their children for who they are no matter what, and wanting nothing more than for them to be happy in the life that they’re leading.

Which means we’re also getting some amazing pictures of these LGBTQ people in their childhood. These moments, captured forever on film, are likely why their parents weren’t all that shocked at the coming out – they’d literally had years to rehearse their responses.

The images were originally submitted to a blog called Born This Way that provides a community for LGBTQ people as they talk about what it was like growing up gay or queer.

#18. “Back when I wanted to be a ‘fixer’ and my wardrobe consisted mainly of cargo pants and dragon T-shirts. I’m currently sitting here in basketball shorts and a Spiderman T-shirt, so I really shouldn’t judge younger me’s fashion sense. I think exactly no one was surprised when I came out.”

Photo Credit: StarBurned

#17. “Think this about sums it up…”

Photo Credit: brandonm28

#16. “Walking and already fabulous.”

Photo Credit: Chris

#15. “1992: I used to build shelves with my dad, but only while wearing my Mickey construction shirt and with stamps on my arms to represent tattoos. Grew up to be very gay.”

Photo Credit: Britt

#14. “My Halloween costume when I was in fifth grade! I wanted to be a girl that year so bad. I was 10… and somehow my family didn’t catch on! Lol.”

Photo Credit: e4fd78b80d

#13. “I’m the sassy lion in the front.”

Photo Credit: akenigsberg

#12. “When I was a little boy, I was allowed to play with dolls. After I came out to my family I asked my mom why she let me and she simply said ‘You wanted them so bad and I wanted to make you happy.’ Clearly from my face you can tell I was happy.”

Photo Credit: jonathanm416a87015

#11. “Here’s my baby lesbian picture circa 1999. I was really hoping my parents would use this as a headshot, I still don’t know why they didn’t.”

Photo Credit: strobertson9

#10. “Me: I’m gay. / Parents: What? No you’re not.”

Photo Credit: justinbreton

#9. “I would vacuum the carpet while wearing this. And I called myself Jeanette. #DragQueenAspirations

Photo Credit: adamlewis

#8. “Me around 4 or 5, dancing to Whitney Houston’s ‘Queen of the Night.’ I still love that song.”

Photo Credit: smeredith89

#7. “What can I say? I have a flair for the dramatics.”

Photo Credit: ANDY

#6. “I brokebacked before Brokeback.”

Photo Credit: ivancommajoseph

#5. “I look so fucking stoked. Transguy who still now wears a leather jacket and killer glasses.”

Photo Credit: ollieow

#4. “I don’t quite remember why I did this, but I mean…I wasn’t mad, check out that smile.”

Photo Credit: marshallamplify

#3. “I’ve always wondered why my parents thought I was gay. Now I know why…”

Photo Credit: tylerl422d13561

#2. “Came across this picture a couple years ago and couldn’t quite believe it. I’ll let it speak for itself. #babybutch”

Photo Credit: maddief4413102cd

#1. “Very embarrassed I wasn’t wearing Andrew Christian briefs.”

Photo Credit: Jon-Michael Poff

h/t: Buzzfeed

Check these out before you go!

7 Strange Facts About What Intimacy Was Like in Revolutionary America

20 Foods from Your Childhood That You Will Never Taste Again

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A Straight “Country Boy” from Oklahoma Decorated His Truck for Pride Month, and It’ll Put a Smile on Your Face

One of the great thing about Pride Month is that we get to hear about moving stories from unlikely people and places. A recent story is a wonderful example of this, and it comes to us from the state of Oklahoma.

Cody Barlow describes himself as a “country boy,” and he has friends and family in the LGBTQ community and doesn’t care who knows it.

Posted by Cody Barlow on Thursday, June 6, 2019

Barlow wanted to show his support for Pride Month, and he did it in a fabulous way – especially considering the fact that he lives in a small town in Oklahoma, which is maybe not the first place that comes to mind when thinking about Gay Pride Month.

Take a look at how Barlow showed his support.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Cody Barlow

Barlow’s Facebook post with that great photo of his truck says:

“Found a way to show my support for pride month.

I simply bought rolls of brightly colored duct tape and ran them across my tailgate in the design of the pride flag, and added some mailbox letters.

This is important to me, not only because I have family and friends that are LGBTQ+, but also because countless people have dealt with hatred and judgement simply for who they are, and/or who they love, for far too long. Obviously doing this isn’t going to change the minds of those who are intolerant, but hopefully it can help drown out the hatred with love.

I live in a rural area in Oklahoma, surrounded by small towns in every direction, and I’m sure this is not a very welcome message around here, but this is going to be displayed on my truck for the entire month of June in support of pride month.

I don’t think it is necessary to say, but for all intents and purposes I am a straight man that grew up here in Oklahoma. I love taking my truck mudding, going fishing, swimming at the lake, floating the river, and several other “country” activities.

It doesn’t matter what negativity I receive for supporting this. I hope that this can help even the slightest bit to encourage and support at least one person that needs it.

I hope everyone finds their inner strength to finally live life loud and proud without regard for the negativity of ignorant people.

Happy pride month!”

People who’ve never met Barlow commented on his post and told him how much it meant to them.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Photo Credit: Facebook

Photo Credit: Facebook

Barlow said there have been some negative comments online, but “it’s worth all of the negativity if it helps even just one person.”

As of this writing, Barlow’s post has been shared over 80,000 times on Facebook. Great work, Cody! We need more people out there like this young man.

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Queer People of Tumblr Attempt to Explain What Being Around Straight People is Like

These are absolutely priceless, and make me glad that social media exists!

Enjoy!

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15+ Kids Reveal the Shocking Reasons They Were Disowned by Their Parents

Can you imagine ever having such a horrible fight with your child that you’d disown them? Even if you don’t have kids right now, it’s pretty hard to imagine, right?

Sadly, it does happen. Sometimes the kids might actually be at fault, but more often then not it’s the parents who simply cannot accept something about their child.

These people were disowned by their own parents, and these confessions explain why.

The reasons will shock you.

1. Reach out to them if you think enough time has passed. You never know…

Photo Credit: Whisper

2. It’ll never be easy.

Photo Credit: Whisper

3. Wow.

Photo Credit: Whisper

4. Yes. That is absolutely a shame.

Photo Credit: Whisper

5. Grrrrrrrr….

Photo Credit: Whisper

6. Yes. There’s no reality where a loving god would be okay with that.

Photo Credit: Whisper

7. Wow, that came out of nowhere!

Photo Credit: Whisper

8. Yeah, that’s a reversal I didn’t see coming.

Photo Credit: Whisper

9. Yay!

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10. Don’t feel guilty AT ALL.

Photo Credit: Whisper

11. Oh snap!

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12. Come on parents…

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13. Maybe forgive her?

Photo Credit: Whisper

14. Worth it!

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15. Don’t regret things like this, ever.

Photo Credit: Whisper

16. You’ll see them eventually, and everybody will blame your parents. Guaranteed.

Photo Credit: Whisper

17. So sorry to see stories like this.

Photo Credit: Whisper

18. Jeezus… what kind of monsters disown somebody for THIS?

Photo Credit: Whisper

19. Well, best they’re not around you and your family then.

Photo Credit: Whisper

Listen, many parents aren’t people we trust or respect, so not having them in our lives in any meaningful way won’t hurt us.

Still, it is nice to have somebody in your corner when you need it, and a good, loving parent or parents can really help out.

What do you think?

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21 People Confess About the Double Lives They’re Keeping From Their Families

Everyone has a few skeletons in their closet – little secrets that they’d prefer to keep hidden away from the world for one reason or another.

Sometimes, these secrets are relatively harmless – like the time I stole some candy in middle school. Others, however, can be a lot bigger. Just ask these 21 people.

1. Reveal that shit!

Photo Credit: Whisper

2. Uh oh… this will end badly…

Photo Credit: Whisper

3. Yikes!

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4. Good lord!

Photo Credit: Whisper

5. Sure you can. Just leave EVERYTHING behind.

Photo Credit: Whisper

6. Get help. Addiction will destroy you. Your husband might not reject you.

Photo Credit: Whisper

7. Gross.

Photo Credit: Whisper

8. How do people hide pregnancies? How does that even work!?!?

Photo Credit: Whisper

9. I’m sure you can tell him that.

Photo Credit: Whisper

10. TELL HIM!

Photo Credit: Whisper

11. Oh boy…

Photo Credit: Whisper

12. How does somebody have a baby with somebody and the husband not find out?!

Photo Credit: Whisper

13. Oh damn!

Photo Credit: Whisper

14. I’m sure he knows…

Photo Credit: Whisper

15. Again, TELL THEM!

Photo Credit: Whisper

16. Wow.

Photo Credit: Whisper

17. Discuss this with her. Please!

Photo Credit: Whisper

18. Time to have a discussion!

Photo Credit: Whisper

19. Well, that worked out…

Photo Credit: Whisper

20. You’re an asshole.

Photo Credit: Whisper

21. Not cool.

Photo Credit: Whisper

Well, if you thought it was easy to trust someone, think again!

Craziness…

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15 States Where It’s Actually Legal to Fire Someone Just for Being LGBTQ

Believe it or not, there are still places in the United States – in 2019! – where there are no protections in place keeping gay people from being fired from their jobs for simply being who they are.

These 15 states below offer no protection at all for LGBT people from being terminated from employment.

All of the statistics below come from the Movement Advancement Project.

1. Texas

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Texas: 873,454

2. Arkansas

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Arkansas: 76,251

3. North Carolina

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in North Carolina: 323,319

4. South Dakota

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in South Dakota: 19,939

5. Wyoming

Photo Credit: GoodFreePhotos

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Wyoming: 14,618

6. Mississippi

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Mississippi: 79,814

7. North Dakota

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in North Dakota: 15,697

8. West Virginia

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in West Virginia: 57,667

9. Virginia

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Virginia: 259,268

10.  Missouri

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Missouri: 180,486

11. Kansas

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Kansas: 72,783

12. Louisiana

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Louisiana: 138,998

13. South Carolina

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in South Carolina: 139,236

14. Nebraska

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Nebraska: 55,192

15. Oklahoma

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Estimated number of LGBTQ adults living in Oklahoma: 113,491

Here is a complete list of local non-discrimination ordinances across the U.S.

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15 People Share the Moment That They Realized “Yep, I’m Definitely Gay”

Although some folks might believe otherwise, the fact is that being gay is not a choice. It’s something you either are, or you aren’t. These AskReddit users can attest to that fact, and they shared the moment that they actually realized the truth.

#1. On a mission

“When I was a Mormon missionary in Eastern Europe. The other missionaries were tempted by the pretty girls and lingerie ads, and I was tempted by the other missionaries.”

#2. The crush

“I never had any crushes or interest in anything romantic until quite a few years after my sister and stepsister did (13 months and 22 months younger than me, respectively). Then, when I finally developed a crush, it was on a girl. Suppressed it for years after my crush rejected me, so hard even I, myself, believed it was untrue, until I got drunk around a campfire with my best friend and ended up making out with her all night.

My best friend and I have now been married for 5 months 😊.”

#3. That’ll do it

“When I realized I fell in love with my best friend. Also we were both on the football team and we shared a locker…”

#4. It clicked

“I liked beast boy AND raven from teen titans. it clicked when i realized.”

#5. Wait a second…

“The moment I, a male, thought “Damn, why are all the hot guys gay?” followed immediately by “Wait, what?”

#6. Oh, maybe…

“In sixth grade, my teacher made an announcement after people had been making poor taste gay jokes. He said, “There’s a high change that one of you in here is gay, and you probably don’t know it. it might be you, so shut up” and in that moment i was like “lmfao ya ok sure i’d know if i was gay” and then two years later i was crankin it to a guy and after a while of doing that i was like “oh, maybe I am gay.” “

#7. Yep

“I was like 12 or 13. I watched the movie “But I’m A Cheerleader” because it was on tv late one night and I was like, yep, I’m gay.”

#8. An entire lesbian

“I was 12 years old. I was watching the movie Practical Magic for the umpteenth time. Sandra Bullock did something particularly attractive, and it clicked in my brain and suddenly I just knew.

I’d been wondering for a little while, after a (female) friend of mine did something unintentionally suggestive and I had a really strong reaction, but it was that particular viewing of Practical Magic that took me from “is it possible I’m gay?” to “Wow I am an entire lesbian.”

#9. That ass changed it all

“My best friend, who grew up as a good Irish Catholic schoolgirl, was walking behind a woman in an airport in the most amazing yellow dress. Just going on and on in her head about how beautifully it flowed, how it curved, how it settled on… After minutes of this, she realised that actually she was just staring at That Ass. It was an amazing ass.

“Oh shit!” She thought, as she realised, looking back down her life: “Every time I’ve admired another woman’s clothes… I’ve totally been admiring them.”

So, yeah. That Ass changed her life.”

#10. All the lesbians

“I’m so embarrassed but it was while watching that absolutely grim show ‘A shot at love with Tila Tequila’ on MTV.

I was an 18yr old girl, had never met a gay person (that I knew about) in real life, and BOOM I loved all those lesbians on the show.

Dani the firefighter, thanks for all the feelings.

Can’t believe it’s a shout out to Tila Tequila for her dumb show.”

#11. “I fall hard”

“I never knew until I started to develop feelings for my best friend. We had been close since middle school, but around 8th or 9th grade I started feeling attracted to her. Of course, since we both came from Christian backgrounds, I tried to deny it, and I even made up stories about liking guys just to seem straight in front of my peers. But when those feelings wouldn’t go away, my mind was just like. “F*ck.”

Before then I had never had any real crushes on anyone in my school, and I thought that romance was sappy and not worth my time. I still kinda feel that way today, but I realized from this incident that when I fall for a girl, I fall hard.”

#12. It’s not you! I’M GAY!

“The “hot” girl on college campus that my friends all wanted but she wanted me. I was questioning if I was gay and found guys attractive but never told anyone. I thought I just needed to have sex with a girl to prove I wasn’t gay. Went back to her room, making out, get her undressed, decide to just “go for it” and with my face literally inches from her lower lady bits I say out loud…

“I’M GAY! Sorry, it’s not you. I’m gay. Really gay!” She was pissed and confused. I got dressed and went back to my buddy’s dorm. I told him I was gay. He was shocked but supportive and happy he “has a chance with her now”. “

#13. What does that mean?

“I was at summer camp, between 7th and 8th grade. I’d made a new friend and we were talking about stuff, getting to know each other. He made an offhand comment about one of his friends who was bisexual. I was like, “What does that mean?”

I’d never even heard of the concept before then. It had never even crossed my mind that people could be romantically interested in the same sex. So he tells me what it means to be gay and bisexual. I think to myself, “Huh. Am I? I didn’t know I could be like that. Maybe I am.” Spoiler alert: I was.”

#14. OBSESSED

“Lesbian here.

When I was around 5 my brother brought home his first girlfriend. He was fifteen & she was sixteen.

I remember being OBSESSED with her. Her name was Tara & she had long brown hair & would compliment my drawings. She gave me a teddy bear & I still have it to this day. Looking back, I had a huuuuge crush on her.”

#15. It just hit me

“One of my gay friends was telling me how he realised he was gay and I found myself relating to everything he was saying. Before that, I thought I was asexual. I knew I wasn’t into girls but had never really seriously contemplated whether or not I was into guys, perhaps because I was afraid of the conclusion I’d reach, so I just settled on thinking I was asexual.

In hindsight, I’d always been into guys, I just misinterpreted all my feeling of attraction as feelings of jealousy. I’d see a hot guy and tell myself that I really wanted to look like him and that that was why I couldn’t stop staring. It made sense at the time, even though it sounds absurd in retrospect.

During that conversation, the realisation that I had been in denial for years just hit me and I knew I was gay.”

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A Man Found an Amazing Collection of LGBTQ Artifacts Stashed Away in a Loft

When Gavin McGregor discovered two bags stashed away in his London loft, he didn’t think much about it until he took a much closer look. When he finally searched through the bags, he found that he’d stumbled upon a treasure trove of LGBTQ artifacts from the 1980s.

Photo Credit: Twitter

McGregor quickly realized that he had a significant time capsule of the LGBTQ scene.

Photo Credit: Twitter

And the second bag contained even more impressive finds.

Photo Credit: Twitter

McGregor also found the manuscript of a novel and tried to get in touch with the writer.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Bill Albert replied that he had submitted his novel to a short-lived publishing company that was run by two people: one now lived in South Africa and the other was Paud Hegarty, who had died from AIDS nearly 20 years ago. McGregor thought that the deceased Paud Hegarty might have been the man behind the artifact collection.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Photo Credit: Twitter

Photo Credit: Twitter

McGregor decided to donate the collection to Gay’s The Word to honor Hegarty’s legacy.

Photo Credit: Twitter

McGregor said, “I’ve received fascinating, moving, personal memories and stories from a range of people already, telling stories and sharing memories.” What a great story.

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15+ Icy Comebacks to Idiotic Online Homophobia

People seem to be braver while hiding behind a computer screen. Also, people hiding behind computer screens don’t seem to mind whether they sound ignorant or hateful, or like a terrible person in general. And while some of us are fatigued with confronting these types on the Internet, there’s a reason to celebrate – because these 17 people knew just what to say, and they didn’t hesitate to put the trolls back under their bridges.

#17. Just pointing out the obvious.

Photo Credit: Reddit

#16. He really nailed it on the ending.

Photo Credit: Twitter

#15. Hell is where all the fun people will be, anyway.

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#14. I mean…

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#13. Number 2 is the best.

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#12. Boom.

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#11. When your friend makes your point for you.

Photo Credit: Bored Panda

#10. That turned out better than expected.

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#9. Lovely.

Photo Credit: Twitter

#8. Just for being gay!

Photo Credit: Instagram

#7. Waiting…

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#6. Buh-bye.

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#5. Memories of high school…lol.

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#4. Master shade.

Photo Credit: Twitter

#3. Truth.

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#2. Can you say the same?

Photo Credit: Facebook

#1. Preach.

Photo Credit: Facebook

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Activists Get Around Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws in a Very Clever Way

With the World Cup in Russia this summer, people from all over the world flocked there to support their countries and travel. And that means people from all backgrounds. One thing about Russia: it’s illegal to fly the rainbow pride flag there. But some very clever activists found a way to fly the pride flag all over Moscow.

Photo Credit: The Hidden Flag

The protestors wore soccer jerseys from different countries and posed to recreate the pride flag.

Photo Credit: The Hidden Flag

People on Twitter loved the work done by the group.

Photo Credit: Twitter

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