Letter To Myself: Words of Strength, Insight, And Resilience From 40 Remarkable Queer People
If you could send a message to a former version of yourself, what would you write?
In anticipation of National Coming Out Day on October 11, we posed this question to 40 prominent figures in the LGBT community who hail from diverse industries, backgrounds, and experiences. The results range in length and style, but all stand testament to the bravery and wisdom of their writers.
As queer people continue to struggle in today's hostile political environment, we hope these letters provide comfort and power to LGBT youth, rising changemakers, and you.
Melissa Etheridge, Musician
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Actor
Alicia Garza, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter
Read Alicia Garza's letter.
Schuyler Bailar, Athlete/Student
Read Schuyler Bailar's letter.
Zeke Thomas, Musician/Activist
Read Zeke Thomas' letter.
Sasha Velour, Drag Queen
Read Sasha Velour's letter.
Noah Galvin, Actor
Read Noah Galvin's letter.
Jazz Jennings, Trans Activist/Author
Read Jazz Jennings' letter.
Peppermint, Drag Queen
Read Peppermint's letter.
Omar Sharif Jr., Actor/Activist
Read Omar Sharif Jr.'s letter.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD
Read Sarah Kate Ellis' letter.
Rhea Butcher, Comedian
Read Rhea Butcher's letter.
Mary Lambert, Musician
Read Mary Lambert's letter.
Elliott Sailors, Model
Read Elliott Sailors' letter.
Tatenda Ngwaru, Intersex Advocate
Read Tatenda Ngwaru's letter.
Gavin Rayna Russom, Musician
Amit Paley, CEO of The Trevor Project
Read Amit Paley's letter.
Ashlee Marie Preston, Journalist/Trans Activist
Daniel Franzese, Actor
Read Daniel Franzese's letter.
Angela Robinson, Director/Producer
Read Angela Robinson's letter.
Brayton Bowman, Musician
Read Brayton Bowman's letter.
Garrard Conley, Author
Read Garrard Conley's letter.
Adam Shankman, Director/Choreographer
Read Adam Shankman's letter.
Josh Dixon, Athlete
Read Josh Dixon's letter.
Jacob Tobia, Nonbinary Author
Read Jacob Tobia's letter.
Jeffrey Costello, Fashion Designer
Robert Tagliapietra, Fashion Designer
Jay Blotcher, ACT UP Activist
Read Jay Blotcher's letter.
Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of The Point Foundation
Read Jorge Valencia's letter.
Shea Diamond, Musician
Read Shea Diamond's letter.
Wrabel, Musician
Read Wrabel's letter.
Drew Droege, Actor/Comedian
Read Drew Droege's letter.
Sam Tsui, Musician
Read Sam Tsui's letter.
Rod Thomas, Musician
Read Rod Thomas' letter.
Kathy Tu, "Nancy" Podcast Co-Host
Read Kathy Tu's letter.
Tobin Low, "Nancy" Podcast Co-Host
Read Tobin Low's letter.
Angelica Ross, Actor/Activist
Read Angelica Ross' letter.
Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality
Read Mara Keisling's letter.
Mathew Shurka, Anti-Conversion Therapy Activist
Read Mathew Shurka's letter.
Mitchell Gold, Furniture Designer