The Coming Out Sessions
Donation protected
www.comingoutsessions.com
Hi Friends!
This project not only means something to me, it means something to every single person that has sat across from me sharing their brave story. This project means something because there’s someone out there that feels they aren’t “gay enough”, or “femme enough”, or whatever it is that society has told them they aren’t enough of. And sometimes we need to be reminded that we are ALL enough.
This GoFundMe campaign isn't to try to make any money off of this project, and that has never been my goal. I had this idea going around in my head for quite some time, but always felt that this project was "too big" to pursue, and my anxiety and self doubts kept coming up any time I'd gain the courage to maybe start working on it. Negative news story after negative news story, I could feel the desensitization of society slowly start to grow... and then I heard the sad news of sweet Jamel Myles' death. A 9 year old in our community took his own life because society has taught other kids his age, that there is something wrong and completely unacceptable about being gay, or being associated with the LGBTQ+ community. THAT is unacceptable. HATE is unacceptable. The fact that a young boy came out to a loving a supportive family, and had the courage to go out into the world and live his truth, and then was bullied into feeling like he didn't matter, is so saddening and infuriating. This is why I feel that now, more than ever, we need to come together to shed light on the beauty that is in the FULL SPECTRUM of the community. You don't have to check a box, or be"gay enough".... we are ALL ENOUGH!
In the short time that I have promoted this project, I have received messages from ALL OVER THE WORLD!! It's beautiful! Stories of hardships, growth, strength and diversity run a common thread through each message in my inbox. I truly want to be able to go and meet with everyone who is vulnerable and brave enough to share their story with the world.
This is where your help comes in...
I'm hoping that, through connections within the LGBTQIA+ community, locations to hold the interviews are donated towards the cause (really don't need much more than an 8'x8' room/office/studio to setup lights/backdrop/interview space)... but the travel/lodging is where the donations will go towards. There will be nothing lavish about the accommodations, and I'd sleep in my car if it weren't for all the expensive equipment I'd be hauling around with me.
I'm not in a huge rush to start traveling because I'd like to cover as much of the local (Colorado Springs/Denver areas first), then will be holding interviews in the Dallas, TX area (December 14, 16 & 17, 2018 - visiting family back home - funds will not be needed/used for these sessions*) and then in London, UK around the holidays (December 21 & 28, 2018 - already traveling out there for family vacation & wanted to do a couple days of interviews while there - funds will not be needed/used for these sessions either*)
*still looking for interview locations for these dates - any help is greatly appreciated :)
------------------------------------------------------------
About the Coming Out Sessions
The Coming Out Sessions is a project focused on the coming out stories of those who identify as LGBTQ+. It’s a dive into the stories and lives of everyday people, who happen to be an identifying member of the LGBTQ+ community.
We all have a coming out story. Some of us have happy and light stories, while others have stories filled with pain and shame. Some of us feel our story is insignificant, or “boring”.
It isn’t.
There’s beauty in each unique story, and I want to shed light on that reality. Each of our stories is like a snowflake in the wonderland that is the LGBTQ+ community, and each story speaks to the beauty and diversity that is our community.
If there is even one person that finds hope in learning that they’re not alone, that their story means something, and that they’re a part of a worldwide community that supports and stands with them, then this project has fulfilled its purpose.
Will you join me in the effort to help younger generations see that there is so much love and support for them in our community?
THE INTERVIEW:
These interviews are pretty quick (under 20 minutes), yet can have their raw moments. It’s okay. I’ve got tissues if your eyes sweat. My top priority is to make sure you’re comfortable and open to talking about your story. I will go through and ask you some questions, and then I’ll take a few pictures at the end of our interview. Bada-bing-bada-boom! We’re done!
------------------------------------------------------------
THE INTERVIEWS WILL BE POSTED STARTING OCTOBER 11, 2018 - NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY - AND A NEW INTERVIEW WILL BE POSTED EVERY 3 DAYS! Stay tuned, and tell your friends!! :)
------------------------------------------------------------
For anyone out there who thinks their story isn’t good enough, or like their story didn’t have enough hardships to count... your story matters. You don’t have to meet qualifications or conditions to be a part of this community. There’s no boxes to check. We just are who we are, and should lift each other up and support each other no matter what. Your story is important, and I believe that someone out there will find hope and strength in hearing yours.
If you’re interested in being a part of this project, or know someone who might be interested, contact me, and we’ll get your interview setup. If you have any reservations or questions about the project, feel free to send them my way too!
------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about the project, and thank you for your support! Any donation helps and is greatly appreciated.
Z Oviedo
www.comingoutsessions.com
Hi Friends!
This project not only means something to me, it means something to every single person that has sat across from me sharing their brave story. This project means something because there’s someone out there that feels they aren’t “gay enough”, or “femme enough”, or whatever it is that society has told them they aren’t enough of. And sometimes we need to be reminded that we are ALL enough.
This GoFundMe campaign isn't to try to make any money off of this project, and that has never been my goal. I had this idea going around in my head for quite some time, but always felt that this project was "too big" to pursue, and my anxiety and self doubts kept coming up any time I'd gain the courage to maybe start working on it. Negative news story after negative news story, I could feel the desensitization of society slowly start to grow... and then I heard the sad news of sweet Jamel Myles' death. A 9 year old in our community took his own life because society has taught other kids his age, that there is something wrong and completely unacceptable about being gay, or being associated with the LGBTQ+ community. THAT is unacceptable. HATE is unacceptable. The fact that a young boy came out to a loving a supportive family, and had the courage to go out into the world and live his truth, and then was bullied into feeling like he didn't matter, is so saddening and infuriating. This is why I feel that now, more than ever, we need to come together to shed light on the beauty that is in the FULL SPECTRUM of the community. You don't have to check a box, or be"gay enough".... we are ALL ENOUGH!
In the short time that I have promoted this project, I have received messages from ALL OVER THE WORLD!! It's beautiful! Stories of hardships, growth, strength and diversity run a common thread through each message in my inbox. I truly want to be able to go and meet with everyone who is vulnerable and brave enough to share their story with the world.
This is where your help comes in...
I'm hoping that, through connections within the LGBTQIA+ community, locations to hold the interviews are donated towards the cause (really don't need much more than an 8'x8' room/office/studio to setup lights/backdrop/interview space)... but the travel/lodging is where the donations will go towards. There will be nothing lavish about the accommodations, and I'd sleep in my car if it weren't for all the expensive equipment I'd be hauling around with me.
I'm not in a huge rush to start traveling because I'd like to cover as much of the local (Colorado Springs/Denver areas first), then will be holding interviews in the Dallas, TX area (December 14, 16 & 17, 2018 - visiting family back home - funds will not be needed/used for these sessions*) and then in London, UK around the holidays (December 21 & 28, 2018 - already traveling out there for family vacation & wanted to do a couple days of interviews while there - funds will not be needed/used for these sessions either*)
*still looking for interview locations for these dates - any help is greatly appreciated :)
------------------------------------------------------------
About the Coming Out Sessions
The Coming Out Sessions is a project focused on the coming out stories of those who identify as LGBTQ+. It’s a dive into the stories and lives of everyday people, who happen to be an identifying member of the LGBTQ+ community.
We all have a coming out story. Some of us have happy and light stories, while others have stories filled with pain and shame. Some of us feel our story is insignificant, or “boring”.
It isn’t.
There’s beauty in each unique story, and I want to shed light on that reality. Each of our stories is like a snowflake in the wonderland that is the LGBTQ+ community, and each story speaks to the beauty and diversity that is our community.
If there is even one person that finds hope in learning that they’re not alone, that their story means something, and that they’re a part of a worldwide community that supports and stands with them, then this project has fulfilled its purpose.
Will you join me in the effort to help younger generations see that there is so much love and support for them in our community?
THE INTERVIEW:
These interviews are pretty quick (under 20 minutes), yet can have their raw moments. It’s okay. I’ve got tissues if your eyes sweat. My top priority is to make sure you’re comfortable and open to talking about your story. I will go through and ask you some questions, and then I’ll take a few pictures at the end of our interview. Bada-bing-bada-boom! We’re done!
------------------------------------------------------------
THE INTERVIEWS WILL BE POSTED STARTING OCTOBER 11, 2018 - NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY - AND A NEW INTERVIEW WILL BE POSTED EVERY 3 DAYS! Stay tuned, and tell your friends!! :)
------------------------------------------------------------
For anyone out there who thinks their story isn’t good enough, or like their story didn’t have enough hardships to count... your story matters. You don’t have to meet qualifications or conditions to be a part of this community. There’s no boxes to check. We just are who we are, and should lift each other up and support each other no matter what. Your story is important, and I believe that someone out there will find hope and strength in hearing yours.
If you’re interested in being a part of this project, or know someone who might be interested, contact me, and we’ll get your interview setup. If you have any reservations or questions about the project, feel free to send them my way too!
------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about the project, and thank you for your support! Any donation helps and is greatly appreciated.
Z Oviedo
www.comingoutsessions.com
Organizer
Zasil Oviedo
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
