Coming Out | This Is My Story
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- My Coming Out Story:
• Coming Out | This Is W...
#ThisIsMyStory
This is a message reflecting my personal coming out experience. It is a message of encouragement, of hope, and a challenge to share your own story.
I sincerely believe that sharing personal stories regarding sexuality builds understanding and acceptance. The goal of this project is to start a UA-cam community trend, uploading coming-out and acceptance-of-self stories that embrace our diverse sexual identities.
As Pride Month approaches, let's flood the internet with our positive voices! The more encouragement that we spread, the more people we will reach.
To SHARE YOUR STORY: upload your video to UA-cam with #ThisIsMyStory in the title.
Download the #ThisIsMyStory video banner: bit.ly/1u1EKZI
Download the #ThisIsMyStory video insert: bit.ly/1iF186Q
Spread encouragement, acceptance, and hope by promoting yours and others stories on social networks with #ThisIsMyStory!
Twitter: / booshoe37
Instagram: / booshoe37
Facebook: / booshoe37
Tumblr: / stuckinatextbook
Flickr: www.flickr.com...
T-Shirts: booshoe.spreads...
Love this video! So happy to know you!! UA-cam is lucky to have you!
Love you too, Michael! You're a true inspiration. So happy to have had you as a friend through all these years!
I remember watching your videos about a year ago and how sad/down you seemed at that time. And just 12 months later and you're a changed person! I know how scary this whole thing can be and you should be proud of yourself. :)
Rewatching this and I am amazed how great it is. You are so self assured and articulate! Well done.
Matt, your advice on relationships after just coming out is priceless and will help a lot of newbies. Thanks, bro.
It's so badass how much your coming out changed things at your university and for others going through the process of being who they are. You're awesome, seriously.
When you came out of the closet a year ago, I was proud of you.. A year on and I'm still proud of you!!
My coming out may not be sexuality but it still has kind of the same meaning. For the whole younger years of my life I went to a catholic school and was taught their ways. But once I found my real self I knew that life was not for me. I am now Agnostic but nobody know that I am except my own family. Now I don't care if you are Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Atheist. They all have their own right to be on this world and so do I. I just wanted you to know that you, Matt, and Tyler Oakley were my inspiration and I now want to tell the world who I really am and that I can be different and still be loved. Love you Matt
Life is full of these pressures both from others and the pressure we put on ourselves. The real test is how we respond to those pressures and you are passing with flying rainbow colours! Congrats on the 1 year....life really does just get better each and every day from this point on! :)
It's videos like yours that helped me accept myself (4 years ago), come out to my friends (3 years ago), and come out to my parents (this coming summer)....so thank you :)
Of all the 'coming out' experiences I have seen on UA-cam, I will certainly never forget yours.
Love you, Matt! Your confidence, as well as your persistence in spreading helpful experiences and information to those who may need it is awesome. : )
Cant believe its already been a year for you. I remember before that video, you were my youtube straight crush. You're definitely one of the most mature people I watch on youtube yet somehow you manage to keep this child-like sense of fun and adventure. Definitely been an honor to see you grow into the person you are today. Wish we had more people like you here in the Carolinas
Great video Matt! I'm so glad it's been such a positive experience for you and I'm glad you got the support you needed from people and your school.
Matt, I can not thank you enough for sharing your story a year ago today. It was literally the push i needed to make the change in my life. Because of you I was able to confront my fears and find peace and acceptance within myself. I've never been happier and I've never been this grateful for someone I've never met before. You're an awesome individual. So glad you're apart of this beautiful community. Thank you. Be well my friend!!
Awesome video Matt! I have never stopped thinking about how much better life became the moment I came out and you just reminded me of how great it really is. Coming out is a continuum that still happens every day for me.
thank you so much for sharing on such a special day. you're amazing, matt.
You are amazing too, Neil. :) So much love to you!!
It is great that your school is so accepting of you. Congrats on helping them to see the light and welcome so many more LGBT students.
I was so proud of you when you came out Matt, hearing how well you're doing is so great :). I hope one day when i come out people will be as supportive of me as they are of you
Your videos have made so much positive impact on my life. Thank you :)
look at you making a difference and helping your community CONGRATS
Matt, I've been watching your videos for so many years and I've loved watching you grow into an incredible person. You're such an inspiration and I'm so happy that you've shared your story with us. My school has Haven too and it's such a wonderful organization and I'm glad that it's finally reached your school!
Wow, Matt. I work with dropout youth, and your courage regularly leaves me speechless. I am especially thrilled to hear that your Christian university stuck to the principle of love (even though I am not Christian) in fielding their internal conflict. You are a stellar ambassador. Wish I could buy you dinner for the character of the conversation.
the first video i saw of yours is the one when you came out. i was so moved by it, and it actually mirrors things that i've gone thru in the past with my sexuality. i was constantly tormented in nearly every year of school & i too had a lot of suicidal thoughts. plus i never had the support of my family which made it even worse. but i hung on. the thing that kept me alive was the simple things i enjoyed; video games, music, movies, etc. i would say to myself "if i kill myself, i wont be around to enjoy these things. i want to be around. i want to be with the few friends i have who love & accept me more than my own folks. at least i can choose my friends. i'm 35 & i've been suidicial-thought free for the past 3 years of my life. it does get better, & it has, despite the hardships i still go thru everyday. i'm only getting stronger by the day. well, thank you for listening. Joel
matt thank you for this, you are seriously my idol, i'm throwing love and hugs and support to you. GO DIVERSITY!!!!!!!!!!
You are an incredible person, Matt! I hope everyone in the LGBT community finds encouragement through this.
I can't believe it's been a year since your coming out video. Congrats on making an impact on so many people, myself included.
P. S. Your Twitter exchanges between you and Neil McNeil give me life!
Aw Matt, this is so great and congrats on a great first year OUT! Sending lots of love and hugs your way. Well done.
I've been contemplating posting a coming out video but it's so hard and there's lots of internal turmoil since it was a really really painful moment in my life involving a lot of emotional and physical abuse. One reason I was thinking of posting it in general was because so many coming out stories on UA-cam are positive - everyone still loves you, no family or friends lost to bigotry. I think it would be a great opportunity to say, yeah not everyone's experiences are great or fully supportive but I'm still here. I made it and you can too.
One day maybe I'll get the courage to post a coming out video. Maybe it'll even be cathartic. In the meantime, thanks for inspiring. I aim to be a positive voice for the LGBT community on UA-cam and I'm glad you're out there doing the exact same thing
Thank you Scottie!
And it is all on your own time. I am thankful for you and the ability that you personally have to relate to so many others who may remain voiceless for now. It is no cake walk for a lot of people, and that is definitely something that we all need to be aware of. You are wonderful.
I personally have been really struggling with my sexuality and coming out. I first came out as bisexual, but that didn't feel quite right. I have concluded that I am lesbian. My mom was already really uncomfortable with me being bisexual, so I don't know how she's going to take me not liking guys like that at all. My dad doesn't know. I know all of my friends are really accepting of who I am, bisexual or lesbian, but I just want to figure out myself before figuring out my place in the world as an open lesbian. Your videos are so great and have helped me so much. Thank you.
I'm happy to hear that your experience with your university went so well! It's nice to see progress taking place on christian campuses. I transferred away from a baptist university 3 years ago, and our biggest victory was legitimately getting the ban on school dances lifted. #mighthavelivedfootloose
About half a year ago you asked us to e-mail you if we wanted to talk about this subject.
I mailed you that day, saying that I was a christian and gay and affraid etc.
And your reply was the best thing ever. You made my World literally shine again.
That same week I came out to my parents, and everyone else.
If it wasn't for you I Would still be so sad.
So thank you!
I really could not have done this without you.
Just wanted to say this to you ..
Thanks again for even reading. :)
I live in Sweden and the attitude towards people who are not heterosexual is amazing. This week there will be a Pride-festival and one of the sponsors for this event is actually the official church of Sweden and I just think that is amazing. And during this week there will be many lectures on the topic of sexuality and some of the lectures are going to be held at the church. I feel so lucky to live in a country where religion isn't an enemy to the LGBT-community.
So exciting that it's been one whole YEAR of being happy and free! I am so proud of you today and every day, I love people and hearing their stories makes me happy. Thank you for sharing yours with the world and with me.
All the same to you my friend. :) Can't wait to see you again!
You are one of the greatest young people in the world! I expect very great things from you, sir!
You've inspired me to tell my story and to be me, to be honest with myself and those I love! Thank you Matthew!i!
You my friend just made me cry. I am Bisexual but I only told a few people. I'm scared that if I do tell everyone that I will get harassed or bullied or something. Like my mom and dad know. They are ok with it. But it's my school I'm worried about! I already get judged because of my piercings and how weird I am. But this video makes me want to tell everyone and that's what I am going to do! Thank you so much!
Brilliant video. **sends love, hugs & support** xx
This is awesome! So happy that your college supported you and I just love your story. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful story. Like HRC says "Love Conquers Hate". Keep going strong!
OMG!!! YES! I used to be subscribed to you along time ago after I saw you in a video with banananeil. I've finally found you again after like 2-3 yrs. I'm a year late but congrats.
Your story is a great one my friend, just goes to show how 1 person can make a difference in any situation. Keep up the great attitude and positive outlook and you'll go far in life. We all shape our stories as we go and mine has changed the views of many people for the better, but the stories are far from over and the next chapter begins and made solely on the choices we make. So make many choices and see where the road takes you happy 1 year anniversary :-)
I started coming out to close friends last year, and I'm still in the process of coming out to extended friends and family.
I thought it would change my life. I thought I would feel different, but I didn't. I felt exactly the same, except now a few people knew. Over the past year, I've grown a lot in who I really am, and I see that I am now a different person than a year ago, not only because I've "matured" (which I haven't) but I've "matured in my identity".
I have to say, coming out to close friends and family, and anybody I currently meet (if they choose to ask) has, eventually, given me extreme freedom to grow into the person I was truly meant to be. It wasn't an immediate thing like I thought it was going to be, but it's a slow process and takes time. I'm still learning to this day, and I don't think I'll ever be done.
BTW @booshoe37
I've watched your videos for several years and I've always been inspired by you. Thanks for being the amazing person you are. Genuinely awesome in everything you do.
I love you and Hobbes!
This small glimpse into your life was inspiring. Thank you, sir, for being who you are. :)
Has it been a year already? I remember trying to sort out the light at 11PM to make a video response to yours and getting awesome comments by people from all over the world. You all are wonderful, whoever you are. (and that goes for you Matt, you're awesome)
I love all your videos, but this one is your best. So much of what you said is exactly what I have felt and experienced! I remember when you posted your coming out video, and I had come out about three months prior. 2:04 on is basically my life.
Hey bud, its Troy, from the spain trip a while back. Im proud of you! keep up the great videos, and keep being such a great guy. Stay strong, stay proud, stay you :)
I'm very glad that things have, and are, going so well for you Matt, although I'm not surprised. You are such a wonderful person and there would be a terrific void created in anyone's life if they turned away from you. You are a great ambassador for gays being accepted as contributing members of society.
Oh, Matty. I'll always remember when we had a small flirting moment in the comments of a video long before you came out. I was SO hoping that you were on our team, and when you came out, I was so happy for you :)
You're awesome Matt. I remember when I saw that video a year ago, I was surprised but also just so... powerfully affected by your story. I'm glad you've been doing so well :D
Yay, Matthew! I'm so happy for you!
You're awesome. and Keep on being Awesome!
*Send a hug.*
Matt, your Coming Out video was recommended by YT and after watching that I subscribed. I also joined YT on my coming out day, April 11th.
Matt, you are amazing, beautifull and unique. It needed a lot of self-acceptance, self-respect, courrage and strenght to get out of the closet... you are admirable! Now that you're out of the closet, the world is opening to you.
Matt, you have such a beautiful spirit. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Aw this is awesome! Can't believe it's been a year!! Inspirational! :)
your awesome thank you for sharing this sending peace joy love happiness & good health your way
*sheds a tear*
Your great, such a positive role modal. Respect and love from across the pond.
(PLEASE SEE MY COMMENT)
I'm so proud of you!!! just I pray for the people like you to make the world better, I love you ♥
THANKS,YOUR THE ONE WHO HELP ME COMING OUT & I DID FEEL THE SAME WAY U FELT ABOUT HARMING YOURSELF. MY FAMILY,FRIENDS AND TEACHERS STANDS BESIDE ME AND THEY DON'T CARE THAT I'M BI AND I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF EVEN MORE & I THINK I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMING OUT VIDEO SEEN
I U FOREVER BYE-BYE AND THANKS FOR YOUR HELP FOR COMING OUT
I came out to my mother 2 days ago. It went horrible, she barely speaks to me, she is ashamed and depressed, she also suggested that I should move to another city or another country. Fortunately my friends, my cousin and my father come to rescue me. Despite everything I still live with my mother, even we barely speak to each other but honestly I don't regret a bit. I feel free, I have friends and family that supports me and love me for who I am and I know she will come to her senses one day too. As you say, coming out is a process, it takes time and effort, and you need to be psychologically prepared for what might come. But it will get better. :)
Fabio, counselor from the United States here. I'm sorry your mother wasn't able to be more open to your honesty. Please give her time; look how long it took you to come out to yourself. Your mother was raised in a different time, in a very conservative religion and society. You however have had many advantages that she was never given, a greater understanding of human sexuality, friends and other family members that support you, and now the freedom to be who you are. You have done and are doing a very brave and good thing. Kudos to you!
glad you have plenty of support. I hope your mom comes around soon.
Your sexual orientation isn't an ideology or opinion. It's how you are and how Mother Nature makes you. Give time to your mother, be happy and be yourself. You'll see soon your life is getting better. Greetings from Spain
That is very brave of you, Fábio. I am thankful that you have other friends and family that are supportive. All in good time. Wonderful feedback provided by everyone else too! Thank you for being you!
drosh413 thanks :)
Even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I LOVE YOU!!
So much love back to you, Michael!
There's hope for the world! A Christian university supporting LGBT folks is earthshaking news. At least it will be until their conservative donors go ballistic.
Matt, I'm thrilled to death that everything is going sooo well!
MATT YOU KNOW WHAT THIS VIDEO MEANS? IT MEANS I'VE BEEN SUBSCRIBED TO YOU FOR OVER A YEAR!!!!
So I've been a subscriber for a whole year? Oh god time flies.. I loved that video you did, it was so brave, touching and inspiring and I am so glad that everything came out for you better in the end! Keep being happy and evolving and finding who you are, and also I think we would make great friends! :P
You rock. Even when I went to UW, I wouldn't come out. I'm glad times have changed.
Things are much different at UW now! I have the feeling the campus is a lot more open at this time, and I appreciate going there and talking to the students. It's a nice change!
Thanks for being out & being online.
awww I remember when I first saw your Coming Out video. I immediately sent you an email, IDK if you remember. But yeah, just know that thanks to you, a lot has changed during that day :)
Amazing video Matt, thanks for sharing.
I start following you after watch your coming out video. That was very inspiring and I really felt honesty about the whole thing.
You´ve got at least one Brazilian fan.
:{D
Aaaawe I remember when I watched your coming out video last year...♥♥ I'm so happy for you and I'm so happy everyone has been nice and accepting :) love yaa♥♥
Thank you so much for sharing that! :D Trully inspiring.
Awesome video. What a change in a year! I wish u all the best from Europe ;D
amazing
As are you, Arielle!
Loved it!!! Perfect video!!!
It was a truly wonderful video!!!By the way this is the first video of yours I've ever seen,but your voice sounds too familiar!Anyway you're awesome sooooo....you just got yourself a new subscriber!!!
Congrats! I only recently came across your videos. Good for you for finding your happiness. Things have come a long way since i was your age, but we still have a ways to go.
As a side note, you have the whitest teeth and eyes!
Great video! You have such a wonderful attitude and it's people like you who give those afraid to have courage. Thank you :)
Great video by a great person :) You're the kind of guy we need more of in the world - like you said at the end, spreading encouragement, acceptance and hope.
Sending you all of the love and all of the hugs! :) xx
The more encouragement, acceptance and hope that we spread through what we say and what we do, the more people want to spread likewise. It's an incredibly cycle!
Hear, hear! :) xx
I remember your coming out video perfectly and I'm very glad about you. You were an inspiration for me. One year after, you look great, very handsome and happy. Thanks and congratulations! :-)
It's amazing what a year of freedom can do for your health.
Wow, I am so happy for you!!! It's wonderful to hear that a Christian University is standing by their students instead of their donors. YOU GO, MATT'S UNI! :D
With patients and time, there is open discussion. And with open discussion, there is change!
you seem really Happy here =D I love seeing happiness in people =) thank you for that
Thanks for sharing and being awesome!
That's soo good and just great one kid made a big ass difference
*THATS* how I found your channel!
I am So Happy for You Lovely one !! And I am So Proud of You Love One !! Hugs !! Anu Suomi Finland ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
I'm so proud of you!!!!
You're awesome as well as amazing! Thank you for being you...
love this video, thinking I just might share my story.
I can't believe it has been one year already and I haven't cooked yakisoba to you yet! hahaha
Thanks Matthew :)
For everything. Keep strong!
I've already came out but I'm glad that you reassured the rumors I heard about ***,
Great video. I'd be interested in seeing a video or reading a blog post from you about everything that entails with being a gay Christian.
What a Wonderful vid! Happy one year to you and many many more years of happiness!
Which means I've been subscribed to you for one year. (I can't remember how I found you but I saw your video, then wrote you an e-mail and you answered, so I decided to subscribe xD)
And I was so happy that you wrote to me!
So proud of you!! You're amazing ❤ ❤ ❤
I year FLIES by after coming out. I can't crawl back in either
You and Neil McNeil remind me so much of each other
I wrote a comment under Michael's coming out story.
Awesome!!
Informing.