Coming out stories

By ReachOut Content Team
Updated 02 May 2025 • 6 minute read

Coming out is a deeply personal experience that’s different for everyone. For some, it's exciting and freeing. For others, it's a more challenging and uncertain journey. Watch how Gwyn and Grace navigated coming out, and learned to accept themselves in the process.

How Brisbane Hustlers helped Gwyn accept himself

Gywn grew up in an environment that made him feel like it wasn’t okay to be gay. He was afraid to come out, especially to his mum. His journey from fear to self-acceptance shows how finding the right community can transform your life for the better.

Read the transcript.

There's a whole world out there that will love you and take care of you, you've just gotta make sure you look for it.

Gwyn found acceptance and strength through:

  • taking control of his experience – coming out when he was ready, not when others expected him to

  • finding supportive communities like his rugby team, the Brisbane Hustlers

  • rebuilding family relationships with patience and understanding, but only when he was ready

  • recognising that life after school opens up new possibilities for acceptance.

How Grace came out to her dad

When Grace decided to come out as bisexual, her dad wasn’t as supportive as she hoped he’d be. Her story highlights the importance of found family, and loving yourself no matter what.

Read the transcript.

Don't go looking for approval from other people because you might not get it. What's important is that you accept yourself first because you're the one that has to live with you.

Grace navigated her experience by:

  • researching and preparing by watching videos about coming out from others

  • understanding her Dad’s cultural context and how it shaped his reaction, while keeping her own views

  • building a support network of friends who accepted her

  • coming out when she was ready, and focusing on her own self-acceptance first.

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Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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