By Anne Kruse

For many, feeling pride about who we are is a foreign concept, but we worked at it

by Mae Espada

My mother whimpering, choking, eating her own words: “Really, who, what, are you?” Me, sitting down, clutching my phone in one hand and my bandaged chest in the other. This can’t be true. It can’t be true.

By Frank Arthur Smith

One thing I know for sure: whether gay, bisexual, or “definitely not straight,” my journey is my own.

By Lisa Dordal

A voice inside me said: “This is my story too.”

By J. Sutari

When I went through with the decision to come out of the closet, my announcement assured myself and other queer youth that we have a place in society, that we do exist, despite living in a world that is still trying to erase us.

By Edafe Okporo

 “Edafe Okporo, please rise,” the judge said upon returning. “Thank you for your bravery and courage. I am granting you permission to live in America.”

By Richard Gartner

The next thing I knew, my body was trembling from the inside out. I was paralyzed and yet in vibratory motion at the same time.

By Felice Cohen

What makes a love affair memorable? If it’s your first? Being caught in bed by your lover’s partner? Your first love dying? In my experience, it was all the above.

By Stephen Hanna and Bret Schuford

Our journey was full of surprises at every turn, but it was worth it.

By Ann McMan

So does that mean I can still claim my identity as a lesbian? And if so, should I be afraid to say it out loud?