Coming Out Pod

Latest Episodes:

Episode 89: Holly Winebarger Mar 04, 2020

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We sit down with the QUEEN of queer community, Holly Winebarger, co-founder of ClexaCon and founder of QFX! Holly grew up in a small town in Virginia and didn't even know the word "lesbian" until she was 17, so it's no wonder she's spent much of her life fostering spaces for LGBTQ+ folks. She talks about how Ellen's "The Puppy Episode" changed her life, and tells us a coming out story that is *so* outrageous, it literally leaves us speechless! Also, the lasting impact of her mom's best friend, Belinda...

Episode 88: Gretchen Wylder Feb 26, 2020

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We have a *delightful* time talking to Gretchen Wylder, creator and star of THESE THEMS! Gretchen had a deeply Christian upbringing and was oblivious to her sexuality, despite the fact that she literally got nauseous every time she slept with her boyfriend. Fortunately, she finally saw the light in one of the most HILARIOUS stories we have ever heard! We also discuss hetero toxicity in the queer community, and Lauren finally gets to ask all her Femme for Femme questions!
@GretchenWylder / thesethems.com

Episode 87: Susan Miller Feb 19, 2020

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We finally talk to the woman who started it all! Writer Susan Miller not only co-created Anyone But Me and wrote on Season 1 of the original L Word, she's also THE REASON WHY THIS PODCAST EXISTS (for real)! An award-winning playwright, Susan talks about coming out almost exclusively through her work, and explains why she has described herself as a "bisexual lesbian." We also tackle the hot-button issue of authenticity in casting, and answer the ancient Zen question, "What is the sound of two women kissing?"

Episode 86: Lucy LaForge Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Singer/songwriter Lucy LaForge grew up in a very conservative, Christian pocket of California, and didn't even hear the word "bisexual" until college (when someone point-blank asked her if she was one). She discusses the fears she had about being out publicly in the music industry, and how she ultimately let her songs lead the way. We also confront the maddening response of "Well, I mean, *everyone's* bi," and Lucy plays a coming out song LIVE IN LAUREN'S CLOSET!
Listen at Lucy & La Mer / @LucyAndLaMer

Episode 85: Youstina Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

This week's guest has never shared her story publicly, but wanted to today because she believes it could help people (and she's right). Youstina (podcaster; QFX Public Relations) was born into a homophobic family in Egypt, where homosexuality is still criminalized. To make matters worse, her first same-sex experience involved her being severely lied to. Thankfully, Youstina emerged with one of the healthiest perspectives on queerness and acceptance we've ever heard (and, spoiler: Carmilla was involved).

Episode 84: Yael Tygiel Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Over the years, host/moderator Yael Tygiel has identified as bisexual, pansexual, fluid, "whatever-sexual," and (currently) queer. Yael tells the story of being outed during a school assembly her freshman year of high school, and how the ensuing rumors meant she couldn't really come into her sexuality until she went away to college. She also discusses the differing reactions of her Israeli parents to her coming out, and preaches the gospel of BODY POSITIVITY! Plus: we're back in the closet!!!
@yaeltygiel

Episode 83: Ryan Wooten Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

In a departure from our usual format, fellow LGBT Center facilitator Ryan Wooten tells his story about coming out as HIV+. Ryan was in a monogamous relationship when he was diagnosed in his early twenties, and talks about moving from despair, to acceptance, to confidence. He explains how learning to live "proud and positive" made him the strongest version of himself, and we discuss how honestly disclosing any number of things to a partner can actually be sexy.
Follow Ryan on Instagram at @fittedkid89!

Episode 82: Celeste Pechous Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

Celeste Pechous (Work in Progress; One Day at a Time) struggled so much with her sexuality that, at age sixteen, she told God she was "ready if you're ready for me." Cut to today, where she proudly plays a lesbian on a TV show that literally airs back-to-back with The L Word! Celeste fills in the 20+ years in between: her first closeted relationship, finding her girl posse in Chicago's queer community, and stepping back to give her parents the time they needed to process her identity.
IG: @celesteinclogs

Episode 81: Avon Rogan Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

We sit down with Avon Rogan, one half of the FABULOUS queer clothing-and-accessories company, Beyond Clexa! A Filipino-Irish background and internalized biphobia led Avon to feel like "a pervert" for being bisexual; so much so that she didn't come out until she was 34. Avon shares how she put in the necessary work to blend her family for the sake of her son, and what it's been like finding herself single again at 48. Also: we dive into the murky waters of GHOSTING!
Follow @onewingedavon and @beyondclexa!

Episode 80: Listener Mailbag! Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're ringing in 2020 (not too loudly, in case you're hungover) with our first ever listener mailbag episode! Some of the many topics we cover include dating someone who isn’t out yet, coming out later in life, getting over a brutal breakup, what to do when you think your friend might be queer, and what if anything we would have changed about our *own* coming out journeys. Also, by popular demand: we tease a future episode about Nicole’s poly coming out story!
Check out comingoutpod.c

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