June is Pride Month, and we’re celebrating by sharing stories from LGBTQ+ people finding peace and acceptance with themselves, their families, and the people they love — and sometimes, making history in the process. These conversations are all about finding love, your people, and your place in the world. Dive into memorable and touching stories from our LGBTQ+ community.
An Honest Life
When Tony Perri first told his childhood priest he was gay, he was told, “be careful who you tell that to, son.” Seventeen years later, he came out to his wife and eventually his children. Tony’s honesty with his family paved the way for his grandson, Jeffrey, to live his life openly and be proud of his sexuality. The two came to StoryCorps to reflect on how Tony’s life has paved the way for Jeffrey.
Still the One
After 10 years of marriage and two children, Les and Scott were struggling. Les had a secret that caused him to fall into a deep depression, pulling away from his family. Finally, Scott confronted Les, and their family changed forever. At StoryCorps, their family talked about how they supported Les throughout his gender transition and how love served as the foundation of their relationships.
A Life of Honor
When Joseph Patton joined the Navy in 1955, he had to serve in silence. At the time, the LGBTQ+ community could not be open while in the military. Joseph remembers the pride he took in his service and the beauty and joy that love has brought to his life.
A Good Man
Bryan Wilmoth and his seven younger siblings were raised in a strict, religious home. At StoryCorps, Bryan talks with his brother Mike about what it was like to reconnect years after their dad kicked Bryan out for being gay.
A Certain Kind of Love
The difficulties faced by same-sex couples have created far too many stories of unrequited love. Glenda Elliott’s story is one of them. She came to StoryCorps to remember Lauree, the woman she fell in love with in small-town Georgia, at a time when it was difficult to imagine an acceptable path apart from marrying a man and starting a family.
StoryCorps Podcast: Love and a Life Complete
Many people come to StoryCorps to have a conversation with someone who’s been meaningful in their lives. Some of our favorite interview moments come from partners and spouses — especially when they’re discussing matters of the heart.
The Saint of Dry Creek
As a teenager, Patrick Haggerty began to understand he was gay — something he thought he was hiding well. One day, he learned that his father could see him more clearly than he realized.
Loving Unconventionally
Walter Naegle recounts to his niece Ericka what it was like falling in love with the iconic civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, in a time where marriage between two men was impossible.
A Life Worth Living
MJ Seide never thought that she would live a happy, fulfilling life. Then she met her future partner, who at the time had been married to a man and raising children.
Growing Up Gabe
Chris López always knew there was something different about her youngest child, Gabe. Assigned female at birth, Gabe felt like he was a boy.
StoryCorps Podcast: No One’s Going to Stop Me
Many of our LGBTQ+ stories center the voices of elders. Let’s look to the future, and hear what the next generation has to say.
Remembering a Gay Icon in Mother Bryant
At 82 years old, Alexei Romanoff came to StoryCorps with his husband, David Farah, to remember the person who taught him to be proud of who he is.
Pink Lipstick, Fur Coats, and Authenticity
Kiyan Williams had a conversation with their friend Darnell Moore about growing up feeling different from other kids and grappling with his family’s expectations. Today, Kiyan works with LGBTQ+ youth in New York City.
“It’s Like This Invisible Golden Lasso.”
Corey Harvard has dedicated his life to advocating for LGBTQ+ youth in Mobile, Alabama through his organization Prism United. He was raised in Mobile, and grew up in a deeply religious home. But in middle school, he realized he was queer, and struggled to come out to his parents.
The Lesbian Switchboard
The Lesbian Switchboard was a helpline for queer women that operated from 1972 to 1997. Denise Tuite volunteered to spend hours at night sitting in the cramped offices of the Switchboard, taking calls from women with no one else to talk to about their sexuality. Some of these calls were casual, asking where to meet women in NYC. Others were from people in need of advice and consolation. But through all of them, Denise could recognize the same emotions she’d once felt. At StoryCorps, Denise shared what brought her to the Lesbian Switchboard.
A Navy Yeoman Reflects on Joining the Military During Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
In 1993, the US government passed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. It forced LGBTQ military service members to hide their sexual orientation or risk expulsion. Navy Yeoman Jacob Tate, who’s gay, joined the military in 2010 when the policy was still in effect. Ultimately, DADT, as it’s commonly known, ended in September 2011. Jacob came to StoryCorps with his husband, Carson Pursifull, to talk about what that experience was like, and answer Carson’s burning questions about what he actually does for the Navy.