At that time, I didn’t even think about “coming out” because I was fully absorbed in the pursuit of perfection and meeting societal expectations. At that time, the idea of revealing my true self never crossed my mind, especially considering the scarcity of openly gay women in the news industry.
I was a very southern, conservative girl who went to a private Catholic school, grew up in a lovely Presbyterian church, and did everything I thought I was supposed to do, but I knew from a very young age that I was, in fact, a lesbian. I lost a lot of people, but I gained a lot of “framily” too! All I ever cared about was having my closest circle of friends by my side and my immediate family in my corner. I have all of those things and more, so life did glow up when I chose to live authentically.
To my unique and extraordinary lesbians out there, wherever you are in your journey -- whether you’re coming out, freely out, or scared or unable to come out, I see you. I am with you.