My Coming Out Story!

In celebration of both my birthday, National Coming Out Day, AND Filipino Heritage Month, I’m sharing my coming out story. I’m putting my soul out there to be scrutinized, criticized, and judged, but as long a my story inspires at least one person out there, then that’s all that truly matters to me!

Growing up in a traditional Filipino home, I was scrutinized for everything. I was sheltered, kept in this box of who I was allowed to be. My dad was also a military man, retiring as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force after 21 years of service. This also made my home more strict and harder to live in. I was an obedient kid who didn’t have a lot of role models growing up. The media I consumed was saturated with white heroines and while I did love watching the Lizzie McGuire Show, I also didn’t see anyone like me on TV. 

I spent a great deal of my life surpassing who I am. Despite attending Pride parades, having friends who identified within the LGBTQ+ community, and always being so supportive, there was still a part of me that was afraid to come out and live my best life. I thought, “I could end up being with a boy, so I don’t need to come out,” or “I’ve only been with guys, had sexual experiences with men, so is this even real?” 

After meeting my current girlfriend, I made the decision to come out to friends and family. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life thus far but I and grateful I did. My story was beautiful, supportive, and loving. But I know not everyone gets this happy ending. With this video I only hope to inspire others to live as authentically as possible. For my fellow Filipino family stuck in the closet: I AM HERE FOR YOU. You are beautiful and you deserve to live out your truest colors with no fear. Come out when you are ready — whether you are 14 or 40, come out when you feel it in your heart. It’s colorful out here and it’s waiting for you.

For LGBTQ+ Resources visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/ 
▪ LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
▪ Transgender Lifeline: 877-575-8860
▪ Crisis Text Line: START to 741-741
▪ MORE hotlines: https://pflag.org/hotlines