Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole

Over the years, host/moderator Yael Tygiel has identified as bisexual, pansexual, fluid, "whatever-sexual," and (currently) queer. Yael tells the story of being outed during a school assembly her freshman year of high school, and how the ensuing rumors meant she couldn't really come into her sexuality until she went away to college. She also discusses the differing reactions of her Israeli parents to her coming out, and preaches the gospel of BODY POSITIVITY! Plus: we're back in the closet!!! @yaeltygiel

In a departure from our usual format, fellow LGBT Center facilitator Ryan Wooten tells his story about coming out as HIV+. Ryan was in a monogamous relationship when he was diagnosed in his early twenties, and talks about moving from despair, to acceptance, to confidence. He explains how learning to live "proud and positive" made him the strongest version of himself, and we discuss how honestly disclosing any number of things to a partner can actually be sexy. Follow Ryan on Instagram at @fittedkid89!

Celeste Pechous (Work in Progress; One Day at a Time) struggled so much with her sexuality that, at age sixteen, she told God she was "ready if you're ready for me." Cut to today, where she proudly plays a lesbian on a TV show that literally airs back-to-back with The L Word! Celeste fills in the 20+ years in between: her first closeted relationship, finding her girl posse in Chicago's queer community, and stepping back to give her parents the time they needed to process her identity. IG: @celesteinclogs

We sit down with Avon Rogan, one half of the FABULOUS queer clothing-and-accessories company, Beyond Clexa! A Filipino-Irish background and internalized biphobia led Avon to feel like "a pervert" for being bisexual; so much so that she didn't come out until she was 34. Avon shares how she put in the necessary work to blend her family for the sake of her son, and what it's been like finding herself single again at 48. Also: we dive into the murky waters of GHOSTING! Follow @onewingedavon and @beyondclexa!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're ringing in 2020 (not too loudly, in case you're hungover) with our first ever listener mailbag episode! Some of the many topics we cover include dating someone who isn’t out yet, coming out later in life, getting over a brutal breakup, what to do when you think your friend might be queer, and what if anything we would have changed about our *own* coming out journeys. Also, by popular demand: we tease a future episode about Nicole’s poly coming out story! Check out comingoutpod.c

Comedian Mav Viola (Butch Pal for the Straight Gal) had an extremely sheltered Christian upbringing, to the point where she didn't know what her period was when she got it. Her coming out story includes such highlights as a game-changing Women's Studies class and a fateful trip to New York with her stepsister, and she keeps us in hysterics even through the difficult parts. Also, we learn about one of Lauren's weird turn-ons! Follow Mav on Twitter and Instagram at @mavviola! DO IT!!

Stage Manager Pita Taing joins us just one year after coming out! Pita talks about how, for her, gender "definitely doesn't" play a role when it comes to attraction, and how she has recently found herself predominantly attracted to trans and non-binary folks. We also discuss how, even as queer people, we often make assumptions about gender and sexuality based on presentation (DAMN YOU, PATRIARCHAL PROGRAMMING!!!). All this; plus we coin the phrase "horny for cuddling." Insta and Twitter: @pitabread716

Actor/queer content creator Spencer (they/them) joins us while in L.A. for the Season of Love premiere! Spencer grew up with two moms on a "queer lady commune" (THE DREAM!), but that didn't make getting outed before they were ready any easier. Spencer talks to us about the formative effect of South of Nowhere, and their recent second-coming-out as non-binary! Also, a cautionary tale about why you should always remember to close the smutty fanfiction tabs on your computer... @RiotEarp666/@beetlebitch666

As a kid, actor Lauren Neal (Westworld) used to dress in her brother's clothing, and was constantly asked if she was a boy. She talks to us about doing drag for the first time (as Prince!), the insane amount of Dyke Drama (TM) she went through in college, and the "if you ever cheat on me, I'll murder you" pact that she has with her wife (it's much cuter than it sounds). Also, how she learned to be up front and ask her family for what she wanted when it came to her relationship. Follow @TheLaurenNeal!

We have THE MOST HILARIOUS TIME with Erin Foley, professional comedian and writer for ONE DAY AT A TIME! Erin comes from a family that is so Catholic, it contains *multiple* nuns, so it's not surprising that it took her until her early 20s to even have an inkling that she was gay. She reveals the moment in a bathroom stall that sealed the deal, and the challenges she's faced since then with her good-hearted but very awkward parents. Also, grilled cheese and boobs - a winning combination!! erinkfoley.com

19-year-old Gerson Macias was always affectionate with male friends growing up, and by the time he hit middle school, his community had singled him out for this "less-than-masculine" behavior. Gerson talks about the negative impacts of machismo on Mexican men, the essay that changed everything for him, and his journey debunking the ol' "Bi now, gay later" myth... Plus, Dobby is back in the studio! Follow Gerson on Instagram at @flighttoinfinity. And hire him as a PA if you're a queer filmmaker!

Our guest this week comes to us during her campaign for CONGRESS! Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla's Peruvian mother and Pakistani father raised her as an Evangelical, but little did they know that a Mission trip to Ireland would prove pivotal to their daughter realizing she was a lesbian... Frances discusses how she went from feeling powerless to being politically engaged, the tragedy in her past that inspired her to run for office, and how LGBTQ equality is a cornerstone of her campaign. Check out fym2020.com

Artist and docent Quinn Mays (they/them) really says it best with the statement, "My identity is TBD." Quinn was raised Catholic by a single mother, and always viewed themself as very disconnected from their own body; it's only been within the past several years that they realized they were agender. Quinn shares what it's been like watching their body change, and the impact of starting to present as a young black man. We also discuss the notion of "it gets better" when "better" isn't perfect. @loljkayyy

We talk to choreographer/educator/activist Kai Hazelwood LIVE at Models of Pride, the world's largest free conference for LGBTQ+ youth and allies! As someone who had to repeatedly come out to her own mother, Kai provides words of wisdom for dealing with people in your life who are still "hanging out in the 20th Century." She also discusses her work with AmBi and Good Trouble Makers, and how she tackled her own internalized biphobia. Plus, we delve into the concept of Bi vs. Pan as labels! @kaihazelwood

QUEER HILARITY ensues when we sit down with fellow podcaster Sarah York, co-host of Dyking Out! Sarah realized she was gay in college, but it's only within the past year that she's fully come into her queer confidence and aesthetic. She talks LDRs, the impact of cutting her hair off, and the very different reactions her two sets of parents/stepparents had to her coming out. Also, how watching Grey's Anatomy with her sorority sisters led to her formative and "painful" crush on Sara Ramirez! @thesarahyork