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Audible's "The Path to Pride" with Lance Bass and Nikki Levy

Plus, Levy's advice on coming out.

To celebrate Pride month, NSYNC's, Lance Bass, and Don’t Tell My Mother! creator, Nikki Levy, have hosted a special Audible Original called The Path to Pride, that features the coming out tales of Levy, Bass, Frank DeCaro (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), and Zeke Smith (Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X and Survivor: Game Changers). The release is available through the end of July for free.

We spoke with The Path to Pride host, Levy, about her own tale of coming out:

If you could come out to your mother all over again, would you have it happen the same way or would you imagine it differently?

Levy: When I came out to my mom, I was 17. We were in the car eating White Castle burgers and I had to tell her...."Mom, I think I like girls!" "Oh no you don't. You were just really close to Grandma Levy and have a bad relationship with Daddy" [her mother replied]. That is exactly what happened when I came out to my mom. If I wanted to be a completely boring adult, then yes! I would have loved her to say, "That's great sweetie! We had a feeling when you started collecting flashlights at a young age. And we had confirmation when we caught you sniffing Stephie Goldberg's underpants." But that never would have happened. We're Jewish, my mother believes everything is her fault!

But seriously, it was a rough time. I went back into the closet more times than Anna Wintour during Fashion Week, believing that because my mother said I wasn't gay that I must not be! The truth is, it allowed me to search deep within myself and realize, finally, no one knows me like I know me. No one can tell me what I like, whom I love or how I feel. Now, my mother is wonderful with my sexuality! Once I got comfy with me, so did she!

What advice would you give to someone struggling to come out right now?

Levy: I would say, Take your time! Your sexuality and gender identity aren't going anywhere. Come out when and to whom you feel safe. That's the beauty of getting clear about ourselves, the decisions are ours.

I came out (and continue to come out) to A LOT of folks! But the most important person I ever came out to was myself. Once I got clear and strong within myself, people's nonsense got weaker. Come out to the people who will support you first. The rest can wait!

What was the best thing about being out?

Levy: The best thing about being out was meeting my wonderful fiancee. We met on a lesbian dating app called HER, and she's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I had to realize what made my happy, and then go for it. I started living my own dream, not someone else's, and the universe responded. I wish that for all of us!

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