Come Out as You Are

02/02/2026

01/09/2026

Our first coming (out) story since we’ve been back. There are more to come, but in the meantime, take some time to read about Trish and her journey to living a life that reflects her true and authentic self.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Trish was only 11 years old when she found a lost earring on the street and pocketed it to bring home. Alone in her room, the little boy she once was would hold it up to her …

11/26/2025

MOST people who THINK they’re “anti-trans” have never ACTUALLY met a person who IS transgender. So let me introduce you to one: Ollie from Madison 🏳️‍⚧️

Ollie is just like other kids: they love to draw and paint. They go to school. They play with their two younger brothers. And they even have a guinea pig that — strangely enough — were originally told was a girl…

“The funniest part to me is that we were told Totoro was a girl and quickly discovered that he wasn’t, which made it seem like he was just the right pet for me,” Ollie wrote in a powerful essay for Our Lives Wisconsin back in 2021.

“My family has always talked about things a little differently than most of my friends’ families. We practice a lot of critical thinking.”

They continued: “I was raised with my parents talking about ‘sweetheart feelings’ to talk about romantic relationships. There has never been any pressure for any of us kids to grow up to be in heterosexual marriages. When I started to have romantic feelings towards people of the gender I used to identify as a few years ago, we openly discussed that I was gay, and we keep talking about it as my feelings of gender identity and romantic attraction have evolved as I’m growing.”

“Then I came out as transgender. I came out as non-binary to my parents who responded immediately by asking which pronouns would be comfortable, and by making me feel safe. I am really lucky to have such a supportive family. I realize not everyone has that experience, and coming out isn’t always celebrated as it should be.”

“If you need to look for a community outside of your family some ways to do that are by finding a group you know can trust like your school’s GSA or rainbow club, by finding a trustworthy group of peers, a school counselor or social worker or by contacting one of the great organizations like Briarpatch or The Trevor Project.”

“You are not alone, and there are so many people who will be there for you.”

Trans teens: They’re just like us, except wise beyond their years 🏳️‍⚧️

📸: Our Lives Wisconsin

11/10/2025

HUGE decision in the Supreme Court this morning to NOT reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges!

Read more here:

The county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples had filed a long-shot petition to the justices.

11/06/2025

Today, we're diving into Darren's story and how it led him to LGBTQIA+ nonprofit work in support of others.

Pronouns: He/Him/His Darren grew up in the Newport Beach, Calif. area with his mother after she and his father divorced. He described the area as “a quiet beach town, very different from today& #821…

10/31/2025

We’re taking a trip down memory lane by sharing a brief history of drag kings and queens.

International Drag Day is this Saturday, July 16, and we’re celebrating by taking a trip down memory lane. The act of males dressing and performing in female attire dates back to Ancient Greece, in…

10/27/2025

The LGBTQ+ community has evolved dramatically over decades and generations, which has ultimately led to bouts of misunderstanding even among those who have identified with the acronym for a long period of time.

The LGBTQ+ community has evolved dramatically over decades and generations, which has ultimately led to bouts of misunderstanding even among those who have identified with the acronym for a long pe…

10/23/2025

Part of Come (Out) as You Are’s loosely coined “identities 101” series.

Part of Come (Out) as You Are’s loosely coined “identities 101” series. Polyamory, though common in times past, seems to be making a comeback in the modern era as an emerging intimate lifestyle. Le…

10/20/2025

Let’s take a look back at one of the most iconic Black LGBTQ folks out there ahead of this year’s recognition of LGBTQ History Month (October). His name is Essex Hemphill.

Let’s take a look back at one of the most iconic Black LGBTQ folks out there ahead of this year’s recognition of LGBTQ History Month (October). His name is Essex Hemphill. While born in Chicago in …

10/18/2025

If you are attending the No Kings protest today, know your rights, stay safe and be heard!

10/16/2025

Hi! Welcome! We are “Come (Out) as You Are”. Some of you are new and some of you thought we’d never return. In this article you’ll get some of the answers you’re looking for as to who we are and what we do. We’re happy to be back and have you along for the ride!

What does that mean? We will be sharing posts from the past on our social media sites and releasing new posts starting January of 2026. Why did we return? Given the current state of the world as we…

10/16/2025

Another amazing article from the vault. We will be sharing articles from the past that still hold some value and relevance to this day. Look for new content January 2026!

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, transgender rights activist. She participated in the 1969 Stonewall Riots and was taken into custody after being hit over the head by a police officer, serving five years.…