Coming out should be about embracing who you are and your place in this cosmos, with so many different sexualities and types of humans these days coming out may be the best thing anyone does for themselves. Living in fear and hiding only will create discord within the self. Life gets harder to manoeuvre when you’re dishonest about your lives and your passions.

My name is Jeffery King and I’ve been born and raised in the west coast my entire life. I’ve only ever known freedom and rainbows. I was Born in Alaska, spent a few years in Washington, then was raised in Hawaii. All gay states, all with decades of pride parades and gay culture.

You could say I’m pretty diverse, I’m black and white and well versed in the ways of the liberal west coast. The land of the stars. This part of the country is amazing, the free land. And I grew up around drag queens, trans, and marching in pride parades from 6yrs old. From Alaska to California I’ve seen it all, met all sorts of international people’s and their cultures. 

“It was more of an embrace, one of the many steps on my way to becoming a man”

I’ve been very blessed to have been able to grow up in this part of the USA. Mainly Around the arts. Needless to say, it was no surprise for those around me when I came out at 15. I wasn’t afraid to tell people I was gay. It was more of an embrace, one of the many steps on my way to becoming a man. I felt it would give me peace and security, which it did almost immediately.

At that time, I was in the tropical jungles of Oahu Hawaii. For those around me, it’s always been no secret I enjoy being fabulous and proud. I mean I grew up playing with Barbie’s and wearing dresses. And before I was out would wear them to school lol.

So, when I started to develop my first crush it was more than natural for a 15yr old to be very vocal about it. And he was very vocal too, a nice boy from choir. And honestly the transition out of the closet wasn’t bad at all, who would’ve known everyone would be so loving around me!

“although ignorance can always be found, I still felt surrounded by love”

People felt more open to talk about themselves, and soon I found myself educated others about gay rights. Amazingly enough drag Queens have always been big in Hawaii, as well as we have our own words for trans people which takes away a lot of derogatory connotations, although ignorance can always be found, I still felt surrounded by love. I guess they call it the aloha state for a reason! 

California is not much different. Here in LA we have gender fluid businesses, gay businesses, and allies everywhere. It’s a sanctuary City for a lot of lost and hard-working souls. I know you can agree were all just trying to “make it out alive.” But coming out to the world is never easy, and more times than once I’ve had to defend myself against other classmates, employers, random hecklers, and even family. We’re always gonna have people that misunderstand us, or people that are new to experiences.

I’ve found safety in being an educator. When I meet someone who has little knowledge about my community I take a step back and try to be as educational and empathetic as I can. Our words have power.

But what stands out the most is the overwhelming support I find in strangers as well. The positives have outweighed the negatives to a point where when something negative comes my way, I owe it to random circumstances and never carry their drama with me. Life happens. But so does love and support. And it’s everywhere, wear your colors and let them know you’re on loves side.

Coming out stories