SLC PRIDE PECULIAR STORIES

We attended the 2019 Salt Lake City Pride Festival and asked any who were willing to write us a note about what they wish their parents knew about them. We are thrilled to share these hand written notes with you. These personal stories are very moving and very vulnerable. Please treat them as sacred, because they are. Most importantly, open your heart to be more inclusive and learn to better love and celebrate their beautiful differences.

I love more than one.

I wish my mom knew that tranny was not an acceptable word for transitioning people. And no they're not metrosexual.

I was raised a devout LDS. I served my mission, but always knew that something was different. After my mission, I was told to get married, and it would fix it. After being married in the temple and five years of marriage, it ended in a divorce. I then came out and at first my parents and family didn't know what to do. They sent me to conversion therapy to change me. After that, and of course, not working, my family and friends had nothing to do with me. After another 10 years my family came around. I met my husband who we are married now for almost a year. Chris Nelson.

I wish my parents understood how hurtful and disrespectful it is to use old pronouns even when I've told them my new pronouns. It hurts.

When I came out as bisexual to my religious family, it was horrible. But when I came out as gender fluid as well, it was harder to explain. My mom is very Mormon and I only accept the straight parts. We that the gay part It is hard and change struggle to please my mom and be who I am. I will never judge people for who they identify as

Validating me does not make me weak.

Admitting you can be wrong makes you stronger. Insisting you are right keeps those you love at a distance.

Hello, my name is David. I came out to my family two years ago. The last thing I expected from a loving household was shock and tears. After living closeted for 10 years and seeing a society that was more and more accepted, and accepted towards LGBTQ+ people. I assumed that being queer would not affect my loved ones the way it did. That said reality is that my family's reactions of shock, sadness and fear is reaction many of my peers wish for. Unfortunately, many people in my community are being beaten, hated and disowned. This cannot cannot continue to go on.

First day of sophomore year, my mom and dad found out I was bi when they went through my phone. I only told a few friends and I wanted to tell them last on my on my own time. Life doesn't always go as planned as though at first we had a fight Later that night. That ended with us not talking for a week. It hurt but it gave us all time to cool down since then my mom has joined an LGBT q plus group and has continued to educate yourself. My my dad and I just don't talk about it. It was a hard year and a half but they are now accepting ish. 

My mom is very supportive of gay rights. However when it comes to her children she acts like it is very negative to be LGBTQ. 

I wish our parents understood how much their love really means to us. When we tell you about our sexuality, and you take that love away it's the most crippling thing you can do to us. When My mom told me she didn't want to date for a daughter. It almost killed me. Please even if you don't get it or agree, never take that love from us. re n caraway.

I'm Wendy. My daughter, Nevada. Cisneros had a hard time telling me she loved girls, Just because kids bully her and or in elementary and middle school. When She told me I hugged her without no words. To this day. I appreciate all love, love, love.

I finally came out to my friends in April of this year and 39 years old and have finally decided to be honest with myself. While I've been honest with friends, I have yet to tell my family. I knew my family. I know my family will love me no matter what. But telling them is such a scary thing for me. I'm also excited to let them know who I am.

The right time will come and she's not now.

It's awesome to just finally be me free and know who I am. 

I love my parents they've helped me and encouraged me to do my best. When I came out as bisexual and my mom made sure I understood I was loved even if her religious beliefs didn't agree. I wish my dad reacted differently. He wasn't as kind. You don't have to agree to be kind and supportive. 

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm totally gay but can't tell you. I know you'd be sad and I hate to see you hurting. Your Jenny.

My story and who I am didn't end at my mission. There is a whole part of me that you never knew about because you never asked. If you have questions asked me in in a way that will make me feeling human. The LGBT q plus community is a part of my family and represents love over everything else. Alyssa

I am a mother of one. As my daughter grows, I wonder who will she be? What will she do? Then I realized I would love her no matter what she chooses for her life. I would never want my child to be afraid to come to me with anything. A mother's love is unconditional. Unconditional means to love no matter what.

Samantha

My parents raised me well, but they taught me to be ashamed of who I am. Coming out and leaving the LDS Church is the hardest thing I've ever done. They say they love me unconditionally, but the way they raised me tells me otherwise.

Hello, I'm 14 and I'm transgender. I've known since I was 12. And I came out at around 12. At first my parents didn't understand nor take it very seriously, I got very suicidal and even self harmed. They realized it was a serious issue and decided to call me by my real name, Jake. And then then changing everything for school like say, name and even called me by him saved my life because it made me confident and happy to be alive.

Wish they knew the difference between gender identity and sexuality. 

My family needs to know how proud I am of myself. My family needs to know how proud I am of them. They are amazing, loving and beautiful. I'm proud to be my parents son.

Even if you're trying to be supportive, don't out your kid to other people without permission.

I hid from my parents for eight years. The first time I realized I was attracted to not just guys, I was 10 and LDS bc of that I was terrified of my parents. I felt like hiding it would make it go away. As I get older, I realized that those feelings I had weren't going away. They were growing. I was 17 when I came out to my parents and my mom was so supportive. She looked at me and said, I'm your mom. I already knew and no matter what, you're my daughter, and nothing will ever stop me from loving you. My dad was less like less accepting. At first he told me there was no such thing And that I would grow out of it. But over time he started accepting the fact that I It wasn't just a phase for me. Now. I have two loving supportive parents and I'm glad I told them.

you for six years before I came out to my parents this summer going into the seventh grade up until then I had a horrible childhood childhood. Once I came out my life has changed so much. I've been on testosterone for two and a half years and had top surgery One year ago on June 4 2018. I am a vice president of the hope squad at my high school and plan to save the world and be a therapist. Don't ever give up.

When I was 15, I realized it was not straight. I had a hard time accepting myself because I never knew anyone who was gay. My parents were accepting when I came out of 19. But some of the things they said were hard to hear stereotypes and slurs that I hated hearing. I wish they could have known how I felt. And then just learning about the different sexualities would have helped. The most important thing is to have an open mind and love your kids no matter what family and parents support can save lives. Love

Maddie.

I've always I've always known I like girls since I was little I was always getting in trouble in kindergarten, For kissing and chasing the girls. And my parents knew from the start, I was always the tomboy the protector always had had the more manly role. My family has all been very supportive. My mom actually divorced my dad and came out by and data woman for almost 10 years.

Coming out was easy with my mom, I came out as bisexual first and she was very accepting and said no matter what I choose in my life, she's still going to love me. As for my dad, he was the one to ask me if I was gay. And at first I was nervous to say yes, but I finally came out to my whole family.

They are all very accepting.

My coming out story wasn't too bad to come out. My mom and dad and siblings were very accepting. The only ones that don't is my grandma and grandpa, they still have a hard time with it. And tell me that I just haven't found the right guy. But everyone else in my family has been pretty cool and accepting. 

My dad looked through my phone after I handed it to him to show him something then had a friend help with questions and answers. An

Bisexual does not mean pick a side.

I'm still in the closet to my parents because I'm terrified that everything would change. Not like being kicked out, but that they would treat me differently.

Colder.

At the beginning of seventh grade, I met the sweetest girl ever. I tried talking to my grandma about it and she totally rejected me. She told me if I was gay, she would kick me out. So Now a few years later, I'm a freshman in high school. I don't ever feel accepted. But This is my first pride and I finally feel accepted. Be you stay true to who you are and love yourself. Camille.

I want my parents to welcome my future girlfriend into the house but I know they won't and it's sad

noms

My name is Rose. I am a trans woman. One thing I wish I could have done sooner is telling my family sooner. The only forgiveness I give is I'm finally free telling the world how proud I am now. Becoming Me myself and I is the best freedom to my soul and outer peace Rose.

I wish that my mom knew that I'm afraid that because I'm

queer. I'll never find love.

I wish my dad knew anything about the last three years of my life but I cut off contact with him.

I wish I could tell you that I'm bisexual but I don't know if I even can.

I wish that parents knew that. It's not for attention or just for fun.

It helps having support and love We are all humans and deserve equality.

I wish my father understood that I'm happy to be who I am.

Wish I could tell you everything. I wish I could have opened up about being raped. I couldn't bring myself to tell you after the first time when you didn't understand how much it hurt when you took me out of therapy and I was never able to open up again. I was assaulted three times and never told you I wish I could have that you didn't know how to help depression or suicidal thoughts.

I hid from my parents for eight years. The first time I realized I was attracted to not just guys I was 10 and LDS. And I was terrified of my parents I felt like hiding would make it go away. As I got older, I realized that those feelings I hid weren't going away. They were going I was 17 when I came out to my parents and my mom was so supportive. She looked at me and said, I'm your mom I already knew and no matter what if you You're my daughter and nothing will ever stop me loving you. My dad was less accepting. At first he told me there was no such thing and that I would grow out of it. But over time he started accepting the fact that it wasn't just a phase for me. Now I have two loving supportive parents and I'm glad I told them

my sister came out in her whole extended family rejected and made her feel less than Nothing has hurt my soul more than the pain she felt.

I grew up in a religious household. I knew I was gay at a very young age. I only really knew that I was different in some way. When I finally got up the courage to come out to my parents, it was really difficult for me to say the words I'm gay, But once I did, they said they still love me for who I am. As I've lived with my husband. For the past few years, my parents have realized that I am the same person I was before I came out and only now I don't have to hide a secret about me. I can be who I am and know they love me.

I realized as gay I was getting five years old. I grew up in Provo, Utah Center, Mormon and least LGBT friendly community. I tried to be straight all through high school but that only lead to suicide attempts addiction and depression, graduating high school and going to college getting out of the Mormon bubble. I slowly started coming out to close friends. I eventually came out to my parents individually. When I was 22 years old, introducing them to my girlfriend, My dad was more supportive, but my mom constantly through the religion card at me. I moved to the east coast and never felt so alive and okay to be myself. Coming back to you, Tom. I slipped back into my depression of constantly feeling judged by my family, I finally went to therapy and was put on medications to help with thoughts and feelings. And at the end of 2017 I met the love of my life and have never felt so loved and welcomed by a family who was LDS. We are now married and have a beautiful seven year old son who loves having two mommies. The love and support we're constantly receiving is overwhelming. I've never been happier.

I wish I didn't have to lie to my mother about being bi

Let me start by saying my parents are amazing people. Even the roughest parts of our lives, they always broke their backs to provide for me and my siblings. They've always been the kindest, most amazing loving parents, but their religion sometimes make them makes them not so kind. I've always known that I didn't fit the normal straight label. But I never gave them anything to question that. For a while. It was easy just taking any verbal insults thrown at me without them realizing they were doing it. I've been told to my face by my mother that the only way her and my father would wouldn't love me was if I was gay. I had events in my life that led me to believe that I could be living the fine living single for the rest of my life. But at 18 I met someone amazing. I fell in love and they love me back just the way I am. My parents have met them met them but have no idea we're together. We've been together over a year now. I have three younger siblings. One is an advocate. One is still too young to know the other. The other Well, my parents found out she's by They haven't handled it. Well. They've told her she's going to hell. But their stereotypes, have them in a panic, that she's suicidal over it. She's 15 There isn't enough time to go over details of all the drama I've lived through. But What I wish my parents knew is this. Their fear is what causes the suicidal suicidality. mentality me It causes the overwhelming sense of hopelessness and me and others like me. I wish they knew that God, the God of love and forgiveness they taught me about all my life would still love and forgive me. I wish I could tell them I was not sad anymore, That I pity them that I'm happy. I wish they'd love my siblings still, too. I wish they knew how much we love them, even if they don't love us.

Dear Mom and Dad, It really hurts how you are a part of religion that doesn't accept who I am, and what I believe in. I really wish you could see past what they tell you and see things for how they really are. I know things have changed quite a bit, but it still sucks. I really wish that you could see that. I know it's hard to but I'm your daughter. And you know how they feel about people who identify as anything other than straight.

I wish my parents accepted me. I can't come out of the closet because they are against gays. They don't hate them. It's just can't accept them. My brother says faggot is it as an insult all the time and my parents don't stop him.

I wish I could have what I want.

My family's always been so supportive of me. When I came out they said they will love me no matter what. Every year they are by my side cheering on the LGBT community. I couldn't be more grateful and proud. Jackie riser.

I wish my dad knew this is not just a phase. Katie. She her bisexual.

First time it came out. My mom didn't care. But my grandma didn't take it. Well, she ignored my whole family for a year and kind of disowned me. She told me she couldn't ever count me

as family.

And ever since I haven't talked to her, she refuses to talk to me. But I'm happy now.

And I don't see why I need her consent.

To my mom, thank you for accepting me. Please Stop telling people I'm your trends and I'm just your son, Kyler

Realize that your daughter needs to be who she is. Melissa is dating Harley.

I'm not angry, and LGBT people are not over sexualized. We don't fall in love with every person we see. We love just the same. It's real, and not a choice.

I love you so much, mom. Thank you for always supporting me and making me feel 100% loved your Marley.

My sister came out to me a whole year before she could come out to my mom, my sister knew that our moms religious police would make her have a bad reaction. And she did. It's been almost five years now and our mom still thinks she isn't gay. And becomes extremely emotional anytime she was reminded that her daughter loves girls. She's trying hard, but religion still gets in the way.

Dear mom and dad, I know that the life I chose for myself wasn't the one you would have chosen. And That's okay. I just want you to know that I'm grateful for all you've raised me And you did an excellent job. You helped shape me into this kind, loving, accepting human being that I am. I know that my choices bring you pain, but I hope that you someday we'll see. See how happy I am and be happy to. For I have to come to embrace my identity and my sexuality. I am free now and I hope that you'll have faith in me. I love you so much, your daughter.

I grew up LDS Shakur for born and was taught queer equals bad. When I was 12 ish. I started thinking I was I was maybe not says, which means not good. Oh, no. So I panicked. And I tried to free myself to be a girl for the for the next few years, and nearly killed myself over it. I realized that I was in fact made like this and that was okay. It's okay to be a gay. It's okay to be as I am. I came out to my

15 and 16 and now I'm all fledge. I'm a college student. And part of local crew groups. It's better this way. I'm happy. I'm not dead on a path I enjoy And finally completed completely who I am. Proper

Love is love people are the same no matter what. Delay me.

When I came to my dad, my dad is a religious running, but it was very scary. I called him and told him because I was too scared to tell him in person. And so the next day picked me up from school. The whole ride to his house was just him telling me how he doesn't accept me as his son in that I'll always be his little girl. I haven't talked him in months now. And he's just very disappointed in me.

Wish my mom knew I was transgender. She was a joy. But I wish she knew because she still calls me baby girl. And it makes me uncomfortable. I love her. But I wish I could tell her I still love her. Even

Evan Evan

I wish my parents knew how much it upsets and hurts me when they tell me they accept me. And then start using my pronouns. But stop and start calling me my dead name.

My parents call my dead name as a punishment.

When I came up to my mother, she took me outside of the restaurant and yelled at me about how I was going to burn in hell and that it was my dad's fault. It turned out this way because he raised me. Even If you disagree, Please accept your children. It means the world to know that even though they are against a lot of the world, they have their parents to back them up.

I wish my mom knew that saying she accepts me actually. Doing so are different things. I wish my mom knew that saying she accepts me and actually doing so are different things, accepting his love. And that love probably wouldn't have kept me from attempting suicide in 2018.

Love isn't abandoning your son.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm a bisexual black woman and I'm proud. There are a few things I'd love for you to know. I have struggled to love myself and accept the fact that I like girls and guys. I struggled with self harm, restricting food and purging it and more. But I'd love for you to know that I haven't purged in a year and I've learned to love myself for who I am. And I hope you will too.

My dad doesn't really understand it. But he told me that he would love me no matter what. That was when I was still a kid and His love will never change. They are divorced. So my mom said well, you can just not be by Like it was a choice. It was hard. But the years have made it easier. 

Shaw

My sister and I both came out to our mom and at different times but got the same reaction. She called us both whores. I just wish he had been more accepting and less judgmental.

Be yourself always

I wish my mom knew that I could be successful despite my sexuality.

I want them to know that I'm still me.

I'm still me. That will never change.

We are brother and sister are both bi and haven't told our parents. We grew up in an LDS environment and are scared of what the reaction from our family will be. God is love and everyone matters.

Just listen