YouTubers Whitney and Megan on the importance of today.
Today is a celebration around the world; a chance to embrace who we are, to be proud of ourselves and the LGBT community.
On-lookers may wonder why this is still something that needs attention brought to. More and more celebrities are coming out of the closet as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and each time they do, they help shatter stereotypes, they help others accept who they are and most importantly, they may just stop someone on the verge of suicide. So coming out and being proud to show who you are, and who you love, is still a very valid cause for celebration. One which as open and proud lesbians (in our personal, work and online lives) we gladly take part in.
There's a reason it's the number one trend on Twitter. Coming Out Day gives support, encouragement and hope to those who haven't ventured out of the closet yet. It doesn't mean you have to do it today (or tomorrow, or ever), but hopefully it shows that there are many of us who have gone through the process and are now leading happy fulfilled lives. Do it if and when the time feels right for you.
We're proud to openly share our lives online, and one of the main reasons we began to do so back in 2009 was to show any girls and women out there who may be struggling with their sexual orientation, that you can live a happy life as a gay woman, and end up with the wedding/house/cat/children/white picket fence you've always dreamed of.
But it wasn't necessarily an easy process to get to where we are. Both Whitney and I came out when we were 15/16 years old. (We're now nearing 30! What a scary thought!) and Whitney even had to come out in the South y'all! Everyone has their own personal experience of coming out. We both experienced negative reactions from our mothers, and yet we are both embraced as daughter-in-laws and they're looking forward to our wedding next year!
So please do remember, there is always a loving LGBT community out there to support you, and yes, it really does get better.
Watch our videos below and we hope you realise you're not alone.