When Aydian realized he was transgender, in an effort to feel less alone, he started a YouTube channel. It gained popularity, eventually helping him become the first trans man on the cover of Men’s Health. This is his story of embracing his identity, creating resources for the trans community, and starting a family.
Throughout her transition, Emily didn’t have enough community, support, or information. So she’s dedicated herself to helping the transgender community by demanding changes at her college, joining a nonprofit board, sharing her story far and wide, and launching her career in politics.
After a rough childhood, Alex was forced into homelessness. Helping hands got him off the streets, and he now gives back by volunteering as Sister Dottie Bair with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and working to end youth homelessness.
Larry “Lare” Nelson moved to San Francisco in the 1970s and had a ball. Several years later, the AIDS pandemic struck and he lost most of his friends. These losses, coupled with his mother’s passion for giving back, launched him full-force into volunteerism.
By the time Noel realized she was gay, she was deeply involved in the Catholic church. She was eventually forced to resign as a college campus minister, and while this was extremely painful, she has cultivated a new sense of spirituality and purpose.
Jessica, who has a love for activism and youth leadership programs, and her wife Kayla, who grew up attending summer camp, have married their passions to create Camp Brave Trails: a leadership camp for LGBTQ youth.
When Trystan, a trans man, wanted to build his family, he decided to have a child biologically despite the social risks and personal challenges. Here’s what it was like for him and his partner.
After growing up facing intolerable bullying and harassment for being gay, Roddy attempted suicide several times. Hoping to prevent anyone else from going through this, he dedicated himself to serving as a resource and source of hope for LGBTQ youth.
Susan knew she was gay from a young age, but she had to keep it secret as an FBI agent. After spending years in the male-dominated FBI and NYPD, she was well prepared to make a splash as a lesbian in the male-dominated world of surf music.
Dani’s gender non-conforming kids helped her come to terms with her own identity, and she now works to make the coffee industry more queer-friendly.
