Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole

In honor of National Coming Out Day, we've got a special guest: actor/writer/foundational human from your childhood, Mara Wilson (Matilda; Mrs. Doubtfire)! As a child star who was all-too-often accused of wanting attention, Mara suppressed her bisexuality for a long time. She discusses imposter syndrome, the need for "boring bisexual visibility," and the ways in which she gauges attraction via Marvel characters. ALSO, we find out which celebrity was Mara's first on-set crush! @MaraWilson on Twitter/Insta

Digital Producer Eden Treviño is just now coming off the roughest year of her life, but you'd never know it to talk to her. She discusses the strength and perspective she's gained from everything she's been through, and how happy she is with where she landed. Eden tells us the most cinematic coming out story we've EVER heard, which spans from Las Vegas to Mexico, and includes a literal hip injury! Plus, how The L Word's Carmen made her realize that she, too, could be a queer femme Latina. @theedentrevin

If you saw last week's announcement, then you finally know what Nicole and Mandahla were doing in New Orleans over Pride: planning for the upcoming series Delta & Daisy! While in the Big Easy, they recorded this special NOLA edition of the pod with D&D writer/producers Nancylee Myatt and Paige Bernhardt (South of Nowhere; Nikki & Nora). Wives Nancylee and Paige share their (very different!) coming out journeys, and the story of how they met the old-fashioned way: through ex-girlfriends. @DeltaAndDaisy

TV Writer/Producer Kim Kressal (Lesbian Love Octagon) spent her adolescence unaware that lesbians even existed, but later dove headfirst into the lesbian culture of late '90s NYC. She talks to us about getting both "gay married and gay divorced," her experience 'passing' as straight while in a relationship with a trans man, and the time she accidentally left a strap-on at her mom's place(!!!). Also, debunking the trope of the predatory lesbian, and the BEST Ani DiFranco song you've never heard! @kkressal

We're celebrating Bi Visibility Month with HILARIOUS comedian Teresa Lee! Teresa grew up identifying with straight femme culture (sororities, pageants, etc), and pre-coming out, referred to herself as "a straight girl who liked girls." She discusses the struggle to be visible as a bisexual person in a straight-presenting relationship, and shares how her father's acceptance has evolved over time. Also, the titillating story of how she may or may NOT have made out with a Victoria's Secret model! @leresatee

We get our minds blown by our first ever AROMANTIC guest! John Arrow (a second grade teacher and founder of TGI Femslash) has come out as *five* different things over the years (including bi and trans), but his aromantic identity is by the far the most recent. John discusses the societal pressures to be coupled, and opens our eyes to the term "amatonormativity," the idea of queerplatonic relationships, and the notion of squishes! Registration for TGIF/F opens Sept. 9! Go to tgifemslash.com for details...

24-year-old Em Westheimer (YouTube's AndroGenetics) identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, but also waffles with use of the word "girl." Their story is difficult, but Em tells it with such grace, self-awareness, and humor, that they manage to keep us laughing throughout. We also discuss the LaRouche movement (the stifling political cult that Em was raised in), and why queer people often feel pressured to "figure out" why they're queer, when straight people...don't. Em is on IG at @siri_ew.

We're changing things up today with a fantastic coming out essay that was sent in to us by a listener! Breeann Campbell grew up with cerebral palsy, so she already felt like an outsider around her peers. When she started to develop feelings for girls in addition to boys...things got even more complicated. Nicole and Lauren read and discuss Breeann's beautiful coming out story, which includes a *heaping* dose of HARRY POTTER! Check out the full text of Breeann's story at comingoutpod.com under "Resources"

We go deeper into all things poly than we ever have before with filmmaker Lise Angelica (Other Loving)! Lise was part of a long-term poly triad 13 years ago, well before polyamory was widely talked about. She discusses the struggle of feeling like a stereotype when you're both bisexual and poly, and what it's like to come out as gay, then bi a decade later, and first start dating men in your mid-30s. Also: the powerful effects of Poison Ivy (not the plant) Follow @otherloving, starring Nicole!

Journalist Trish Bendix (The New York Times, etc.) is such a fixture in queer media, you would never guess she had no idea she was a lesbian until she was twenty years old! She's got a good theory as to why that is, though... Trish shares about her first relationship in college, and the benefits of continuing to play truth or dare into adulthood. We also discuss the merits of experimentation, the nuances of such classifications as "heteroflexible" and "waist-up bisexual," and GENTLEMAN JACK! @trishbendix

Transmasculine filmmaker/director Jett Garrison (These Thems) only transitioned three-and-a-half years ago, which now has him "just on the other side of puberty" in his mid-40s. He tells incredible stories from his life, which include serving in the Air Force prior to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and being a morning DJ in the late '90s on the only all-female radio show in the country! Also, the challenges that transitioning can present in a marriage, and what it's like to date in what is essentially a new body.

In today's special episode, we speak with Susan Cottrell of FreedHearts, an incredible organization that helps parents (especially religious parents) embrace their LGBTQ+ children. Susan discusses choosing her daughter over her church, and offers invaluable tips on approaching parents who have not yet been able to do the same. She also talks about reframing faith in the most loving terms imaginable, and debunks the infamous Bible passages that are often used against the LGBTQ+ community. freedhearts.org

We go deeper into gender than ever before when we're joined by footwear and accessories designer and trans/non-binary activist, NiK Kacy! NiK started their gender-free company because they were tired of shoes being limited to the binary, so it's not surprising that this concept extends to their entire life. We get an ED-U-CATION as NiK talks about their journey from coming out as gay, then butch/masculine presenting, then trans, and finally non-binary. We talk shades of grey in gender, queerness, and more!

At 15 years old, comedian Brooklyn Jones (Flex & Shanice) asked her mom "Do you think I'm gay?" She then put the question out of her mind for years...until Chicago Fire and Once Upon a Time brought it right back to the forefront! Brooklyn tells us about her first date with a woman, and how intersectionality can sometimes make it feel like your different identities are pitted against each other. Plus, community in-fighting, and the good ol' Straight Girl Conundrum (TM)! @itsbrooklynjones / @ItsBklynJones

Shantell Yasmine Abeydeera (Girls Like Magic) grew up in Australia with very religious Sri Lankan parents, and felt tremendous pressure to meet their expectations. Yaz details her difficult but inspiring story, speaking candidly on toxic relationships and substance abuse ("It's incredible that I'm alive"). She shares how she came to love herself and her sexual identity, and how she's learned to cultivate a peaceful relationship with her mother. Also: Yaz's pizza theory! IG: @shantell_yasmine_abeydeera