(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Pride Support

The highs and lows of coming out, along with the need for support

Oct 13, 2021 | 10:00 AM

The idea of coming out continues to haunt many people struggling with their sexuality.

National Coming Out Day was on Monday, Oct. 11, with many across the country taking the time to share their stories in hopes of highlighting the issues they still face.

For Sarah Kraynick, coming out left her estranged from her brother.

“I still struggle with it, I won’t lie, but you move on with your career, your education, and hopefully make new friends and a new family.”

Along with the hardships, there have been many positives. This includes getting married and being able to truly be herself.

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Kraynick has also experienced communities where the LGBTQ+ plus community is more publicly supported.

One of these places was Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, as she remembers there not being any gay bars but rather ones where everyone could come in, enjoy themselves, and not be scared about being judged.

“I would love a day where it’s more like Amsterdam. Coming out, you shouldn’t have to tell anybody. Going to the bar with my partner, who cares what kind of bar it is.”

Bryan Roces has also experienced ups and downs with coming out.

This included family members simply denying that he was gay.

“I opened up a little bit about it, unfortunately, (they) were in denial and said that’s wrong and stuff like that. I can’t tell or control what people say or do, that’s their point of view.”

Not all were in denial as some, to his surprise, showered him with supportive messages on social media after he talked about the importance of National Coming Out Day.

This kind of reaction can be hard, however, Roces said losing all toxic relationships has helped him be happy and content with who he is.

“I had to do that for myself, and it was not easy, but after doing that and letting it cool down, for maybe a week or two, I felt much better.”

Meanwhile, both Kraynick and Roces believe, in a perfect world, coming out wouldn’t exist as everyone could be accepting of who they are from the very start.

As this is currently not the case, they’re hoping their stories show others what they could be forced to deal with, but also the love and happiness other could be experiencing as their true selves.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow