My name is Suzanne, and I identify as lesbian, and my pronouns are she/her. In 2014 during my freshman year of high school, I first uttered the words “I think I like girls” aloud to myself. As terrifying as this realization was, there was something incredibly freeing about simply putting it into the universe. Although I had yet to confide in those closest to me, coming out to myself was the first step to accepting my sexuality. At this point, I had a lot of internalized homophobia stemming from being raised in a Catholic environment and the stigma surrounding being gay I witnessed while growing up. Throughout elementary and middle school, I was taught that being gay is a choice, and it was the wrong one; therefore, I carried these beliefs with me as I got older.

As a sexually confused teenager at an all-girls Catholic high school, I repressed these feelings in hopes that I was “going through a phase.” I didn’t begin to explore my sexuality until I graduated from high school. I dated both men and women but always felt an unexplainable attraction towards women that was never present with any man. It wasn’t until I met my first girlfriend, Jules, that I realized I was a whole-hearted lesbian. For the first time, I had more than a physical attraction; I developed a deep romantic connection with a woman, which was exciting and petrifying at the same time.

At this point, I knew it was time to come out to my friends and family. The fear of being rejected and judged by the people I loved the most stopped me from being honest with them. I suspected that my sisters knew about Jules, but they waited for me to be comfortable enough to come to them. One by one, I mustered up the courage to tell each of them that Jules was more than a friend. Deep down, I knew that they would love and support me in any situation, but I still felt afraid and insecure. After revealing my “big secret,” I was met with the response “we know” by most of my sisters, making me feel grateful to have a support system. However, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy coming out to other family members.

I vividly remember trying on dresses for my sister’s wedding with my mother. She asked me, “why is your friend (Jules) still here? I took a deep breath and told myself it is now or never, and I told her that we’re dating. We both stood in silence for what felt like the longest minute of my life. I watched as her eyes glossed over; she said nothing to me, grabbed her keys, and drove away. I remember bursting into tears and feeling alone, but luckily, I had my sisters and Jules remind me that everything would be okay. Two days later, I got a text from her saying, “I know that was hard to say, and I love you.” Although my mom’s response crushed me at the time, I had to remember that it took me years to come to terms with sexuality and my mom needed time to process just like I did. Acceptance does not come overnight for everyone, but that is okay.

Ultimately, coming out is not a one-time experience, and this is not the entire story. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, coming out happens every time you leave the house and meet someone new. I hope you enjoyed my story and I would love to hear about your experience!

Welcome to the first blog post of LGBTQ&A! The purpose of this site is to provide insight into all LGBTQIA+ matters from the perspective of members from the LGBTQIA+ and ally community. We hope that this site will provide resources, education, and an open forum to discuss different experiences and opinions regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. Weekly blog posts will cover a plethora of topics from health disparities to legal subjects within the community.

Secondarily, we would like to contribute to the LGBTQIA+ community by surveying participants from various backgrounds about the limited access to healthcare. It is our mission to create acceptance through understanding and make a positive impact in the LGBTQI+ community.

Hi! My name is Suzanne Tsukenjo, and I am the founder of LGBTQ&A. I am so excited to create a safe space for people from all walks of life to share their stories and feel a sense of belonging within this community. I am 21 years old and came out to my friends and family a little over four years ago (2017). My coming out journey was challenging and forced me to take ownership of who I am truly am. I can now proudly say that I identify as lesbian and go by the pronouns she/her. If you are interested in gaining some insight into my struggles surrounding coming out and currently living as a gay woman, follow along on our journey. We also want to hear about your questions, insight, and experiences. We hope to post content that either you or those around you can relate to whether you are a part of the LGBTQIA+ or ally community.

Hello! My name is Sydney Muraoka, and I am the editor-in-chief of LGBTQ&A. I hope to provide insight into the LGBTQIA+ community from the perspective of an ally to the community. I’ve seen how critical it is that people who identify as LGBTQIA+ have a robust support system in my personal experience. I am delighted to share my story and provide resources for my fellow allies of the community to accept those around them better. I recently graduated from William S. Richardson School of Law, so I am incredibly passionate about legal issues regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. Hopefully, through our weekly blog posts, we can create positive and informative content.