To wrap up the pride month, the ‘Inside The Maze’ crew shared their coming out stories as LGBTQ+ individuals. The crew discussed their experiences coming out to family, friends, and religious communities, often focusing on the challenges they faced, particularly in religious contexts.
Some of the crew members experienced difficulties with religious communities, especially Black churches, when coming out. Some faced prayer interventions, exclusion from church activities, or attempts to “pray the gay away.”
Family reactions varied, with some family members being supportive while others struggled to accept their LGBTQ+ relatives. Several speakers mentioned the importance of finding supportive communities and allies, including siblings and friends.
There was discussion about the intersection of race, religion, and sexuality, particularly for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. Some speakers touched on their evolving understanding of their own sexuality and gender expression over time. The group also briefly discussed Pride month and their varying levels of participation in Pride events.
There were calls for less judgment and more acceptance within LGBTQ+ communities, as well as a desire to move beyond labels.
