I’m stunned. I’m shaking. I’m furious. I’m on the brink of tears. I’m about ready to explode! But I can’t. Because I’m at work.
Breath Kate…..Just breathe…..You should probably just write something down.
Aug 3, 2013 and it’s another day as a hotel concierge. For those unfamiliar with the title, I basically sit in a hotel lobby and hook guests up with tours, show tickets and restaurant reservations. Not a bad part-time gig for a world traveler and aspiring actress. Saying I meet and converse with all kinds from all places is definitely an understatement. It’s interesting getting to listen to guest reactions to the city of Toronto. I often hear the same comments over and over; the city is so clean, the people so nice, and the population SO multicultural. As a born an raised Torontonian (a term Americans find particularly amusing), I am absolutely in love with this city. It has its issues of course. Transit is useless, homeless are everywhere, and our Mayor is a moron who allegedly smokes crack (though I’ve always thought that crack video thing was BS). We do have crime, racism and bigotry. But it’s that multiculturalism that makes the city so great. A city filled with “all kinds” living, for the most part, peacefully and respectfully amid a broad spectrum of differences. In fact, I’m writing this during Caribana parade weekend, which specifically celebrates Caribbean culture, but welcomes all ethnicities to join the party.

Cast and crew at Toronto's Pride Parade in 2012
Why is all of this important? Well, on this day in particular, I engaged in a conversation with a guest checking out of the hotel who was taking issue with the attire (or lack thereof) on the ladies attending the parade. I informed him that dressing elaborately and often scantily clad was pretty typical of big Toronto events like Caribana and the Gay Pride Parade. His response to the latter was as follows : “Ew! Gross! You let those sick people stay here!”. Now he was saying this with what he would probably describe as lighthearted humour. But in reality, he was 100% serious about his opposition to a gay and lesbian “lifestyle”. He then ruined the next 10 mins of my life telling me why.
He brought out all the old bigotry tricks. He brought God into it. He brought evil into it. He knows for a fact that “they don’t WANT to be gay” and they need to stop pushing “the gay agenda that is intended to confuse children and corrode our social institutions “. It was at this point that I informed him of MY role in said agenda, which he just shrugged off. She’s an actress and it’s just another role. He had no idea how important this role means to my own agenda, which is to do what I can to help rid the world of ignorant, oppressive thoughts and turn it into an accepting, loving place. But I clenched my fists, bit my tongue, and kept it to myself. I was not allowed to have a voice. I was, after all, at work.
To be honest, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before and argued to the point where me and my opponent threw up our hands and agreed to disagree. I’m always left angry, but this time I was left sad. As he looked me in the eyes and spoke, I thought about what it would be like to be gay and feel his persecution and judgement, all the while telling me it comes from a spiritual place. I’m agnostic, but to put my self in the shoes of someone who really does seek God’s love and salvation, these words would be torturous and heartbreaking. His words are intended to come from a place of love. However, at this moment I begin to think of every single person who has ever been bullied, rejected, tortured, killed or took their own life because someone insisted God doesn’t approve of who they are. Because society doesn’t approve. It seems to me, love and understanding continue to go right out the window.
Where am I going with all this? Well you the fans have been amazing! Watching, sharing, and donating. You have supported as much as you can and waited a long time for new episodes. We understand your frustration and in some cases literal outrage that we are asking for more donations (oh yah people, I read your comments). But this show has changed lives. It has let LGBTQ youth know that when someone speaks to them the way this guy spoke to me, he is the one who is wrong. We all deserve to be happy, we deserve to love and be loved. We are beautiful and perfect, just the way we are. The whole world should aspire to live peacefully and respectfully with one another. This is my idealistic Torontonian dream that gives Rose purpose for me. And this message continues to be spread around the world because people like watching what we’ve done. But unfortunately making what we’ve done takes money, and we still need more.
So channel your frustration into donating and sharing our contribute video. Every dollar helps. Every share furthers the cause. And together, we can show this guy where love really comes from.
Phew! I feel better. Back to the grind now….
Dear Kate:
I am 14 years old, am Latin being mas specific I am Argentine (because of it I ask for excuses, since my Englishman is not very good, an attempt that is understood). To beginning of year, empece to looking At Out With Give, and I must say that I am charmed with very much, it is an incredible series undoubtedly better that eh dress. But on having seen her me eh identified very much, in general always there were called me the boys an attention, because they taught me that it was normal and that debia to be like that always. In simple words I am confused, and the worse thing is that my house the topic of the pairs influences very much, all the time is spoken about it, and me this area is inconvinient, and because of it I shut in myself and look at television, or to listening to music.
Serious it happy be able to know that I am, that I like, of being confused all the time I cannot stand it and much. And better knows THE ONE WHO I AM. I suspect that I am lesbian, and not that to make myself the uncertainty maddens, that when big definite estare mas is mas. Sometimes, I dream that I am with a girl chatting, and of nothing I kiss her. You are my heroes, I love them with every part of my being. They deserve to be happy, to enjoy the life and to fulfill his goals. I wait with anxieties her third for season. Thank you for existing and to make myself happy. I wait for your response.
Hi,
I’m 17 and I’m a french (sorry for my english…) lost girl… Today, I’m in holydays in Canada and I was in Montreal during the “Fierté gay”. When I saw that I was in car with my parents and I wondered if it was the moment to tell them that I’m gay… But in my family we are catholics and they are not homophobe but they never speak about that, they are stuck about that and really narrow-minded and I want to come out…
But I’m afraid… The consequences and all this things…
So, I’m really lost.
I’m out whit one person, a priest… My school chaplain… He’s homophobe and it’s verry difficult to live in a boarding school with him, my frind and the other people.
So, I’m here, in a country who is “gay friendly” and I cant be myself… It is not funny.
And I have no clue for imagining the future…
Last thing, Out With Dad is for me a dream… Rose’s father understand his daughter…
Thanks for reading.
Salut Christèle,
J’ai compété l’école secondaire à une école catholique ici en Ontario. Mes parents sont aussi catholiques, et ils ont toujours évité le sujet de la sexualité. Ils ont exprimé l’expectation que je marie un home et ait des enfants, sans dire ouvertement qu’ils étaient opposés à l’homosexualité. J’ai décidé de leur révéler que je suis homosexuelle quand j’avais 17 ans. Pour moi, ça a facilité la vie. Mes parents n’étaient pas enchantés, mais ils ont fait l’effort de m’accepter et de me soutenir. Après ça, je n’avais pas besoin de mentir et j’avais quelqu’un avec qui je pouvais parler quand l’homophobie que je rencontrais à l’école était difficile à supporter.
Considère ce que tu as à perdre et ce que tu gagneras. Dans la majorité des cas, même si tes parents ont une réaction moins qu’idéal, tu ne regretteras pas ta décision. Cela étant dit, si tu dépends sur tes parents complètement et tu serais sans abris s’ils te rejetaient, sois prudent.
J’ai toujours trouvé que l’Église manquait le but des enseignements du Seigneur: nous rendons culte à un révolutionnaire radicale qui professait l’acceptation et l’amour, mais nous avons peur de reconnaitre que les homosexuels sont aussi dignes de notre respect.
I used to be angry at people like this too. I would see things on the news about anti-gay laws or clips of people like those in the Westboro Baptist Church and it would make my blood boil. But at some point I realised that being angry at these people did nothing but make me feel bad. So I started to look at them in a different way and I started to feel sorry for them. These people have so much hate for those who are different that they can’t see the beauty of diversity that there is in this world. They see the world with a closed mind. So do not hate but pity this man as his world is without the colour that we see.
Hi Charlotte!
Wow, this reply is long overdue, eh? Thank you so much for your comment. I do agree with you that they are missing out on so many wonderful people and experiences. I count myself as incredibly lucky to have the friends and colleagues that I have. I’m just going to keep on spreading good karma if I can.
Take care and all the best.
Kate,
Sometimes, I can’t seem to fathom why others would stand in to defend the LGBTQ people, but then I believe that is a product of where I grew up, and where I live today.
Ever since I was young, (came out in fourth grade as trans, though I did not know the term at that point in my life and simply lived as a boy the best I could) I have been used by people, and more times than I care to admit, physically harmed by those I did not know, and even by those I though I did. I struggle with depression and anxiety because of it.
My parents think I’m gay, which is one of the most annoying things I have experienced, because I identify as a straight male. This is my own fault, though; I was afraid of my parents at the time, and knew that they would easily accept my being a lesbian. They did, and are supportive, but every time I think I will correct them, something happens. Once, it was a movie with transgendered individuals playing a minor role, though the impact on myself was everything but. My parents made comments about how ‘ugly IT’ was. In this case, the individual was male to female, and every time, they said, ‘he should just go back to being a dude,’ or ‘gross, who would seriously want to **** that?’
Needless to say, I don’t think I could have sank any further into my chair. I was angry, hurt, and especially ashamed. Even more so because my little sister was there, and picking up on their negative language and views, something I hope she does not develop.
Even so, I have just moved into a new apartment and plan to tell them this Saturday. I’m terrified, and I have more anxiety attacks over it the closer Saturday comes.
I have absolutely zero trans friends, and I don’t even have gay ones (really, just friends in general, but making them has always been difficult). Where I live, if one comes out, or is even thought to be gay or trans, even questioning, it can easily lead to physical assaults, theft, defacement of property, verbal abuse, etc. My high school actually tried to suspend ME for being harassed, and at one point, physically defending myself against a biological male, who definitely had an upper hand (he played football/baseball, and stood over six feet, I play soccer and stand 5’7″. He’s built to be big, and in my sport, I’m built to be lithe).
The only reason I didn’t get suspended (he was free to go) was because my parents came and had a fit.
I just want you to know, that when I found Out With Dad, I was very much suicidal (I mean, I thought about it daily and found myself thinking about how I could do it) and because of you, I have hope now. Even though it is just a show, even portraying these roles could put all of you in harm’s way, given the wrong individual, which makes your acts even more courageous. Even though I still have rough days where I absolutely hate my body (I’m paying for college and an apartment/various bills out of pocket, so I cannot afford to start really transitioning) I look up and choose to move on from it. There is nothing I can do about it for now, so I should not let it hold me back.
Sometimes, I don’t know why people would stand up for those who are LGBTQ. It is difficult (nearly as difficult as being included in said community at times), sometimes not fully understood (in the sense that it is not always the sexuality or personal struggle with being in the situation), dangerous, even, and much easier to stay quiet and look the other way.
You don’t, though. None of you do. You are all AMAZING people, and I highly respect, admire, and thank you all for what you are doing. I know you see that you change lives through the comments of your viewers, but you don’t truly know. You all do a beautiful thing for strangers, most without even a face to the screen name. You are fantastical, inspirational, selfless, loving, and have the most beautiful souls. There is nothing I could ever do to thank you enough for what you do, and without you, I honestly believe there would be one less individual in this world. I do not believe I found you by luck, but by some strange twist of Fate.
Had I the money, I would donate all I could to you, but alas, I can only spread the word about what you are doing.
You are not obligated to act, but you do. Even though I do not always understand why, I am grateful. Though you could not speak against the individual, I believe it was for the best, because being voiceless moved you into a new understanding.
You are all my heroes.
Yours,
Jamison
Hi Jamison.
I really should not have read this at work. I’m seriously on the brink of tears. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I don’t even know what to write. I’m honestly at a loss for words. I want to write something comforting. Something, ANYTHING. I just want to give you a hug and tell you that you have my support and my love. I want to be in the room holding your hand when you tell your family and stand up for you if they can’t understand that this is who you are. But I can’t. All I can do is plea to you to get in contact with some form of support. I know you said there isn’t anything in your area, so look online for anonymous phone helplines and forums. Like I said in the article, you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. And who you are is male. No matter what happens, know that you have a friend in me and there are people out there who don’t know you who are ready to be your friend too. You are not alone. Don’t worry about donating AT ALL. Do what you need to do in your life to be happy and you will have made everyone at OWD feel very proud. Take care of yourself.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!!!!
Kate
I keep trying to think up a reply that doesn’t sound awkward, or like I’m hitting on you, so I’m just going to be awkward, and want it to be known that this is my (possibly embarrassing to us both) attempt to show my gratitude.
Ahem.
Kate,
Firstly, your reply made me chuckle, and I believe it is because you seem so worried, yet, do not know me. It is a strange feeling. You don’t have to feel sorry for my situation, it is what it is, and there are far worse ones in the world. I am, however, grinning like the biggest idiot ever because of your kind words and support. I woke up today feeling lighter than I can ever remember, something that started after posting to you. Which, in a way, I must apologize for; I did not mean to dump all of that on you, nor make you feel the way you did. Smile for me instead. It is a lovely feature.
Even though you cannot be there, I know that I will have your thoughts and will have bountiful good vibes sent my way, which is more than I could ever ask for. Your support truly does mean the world to me, not because of who you are, but because you simply are.
I’m still not sure how I will tell them, and believe me, I have been practicing constantly. It isn’t easy when everything sounds dumb. Even still, I will remember your words when I do, and hope that it will bring me some form of solace, should I get too nervous/anxious. If you would like, I will update you on what happens, but I understand of you wish not to know.
Okay, here comes your own personal Jamison-made awkward.
Kate,
Through all I have seen, though I realize it is not all there is to you, I cannot help but believe you, in all you are, happen to be one of the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of speaking to, though we have not met. Your actions, words, passions, and aspirations, all that is you. Even if I cannot fully say so, because I only know you through Out With Dad, and posts you may have, I believe this to be true.
You are exceptional in this world because of how you choose to leave your mark. Even as a person, a single drop in a sea of organisms, your ripple will change all that you touch in the most amazing way. I know this because I have felt it, as have many others. You do not realize your impact, but you are the drop that caused the tides to change for this struggling college guy. I do not mean with just your participation in Out With Dad, but also in your reply, your worry, and your loving support for me, a stranger to you. You are a hero to many, and what I believe a role-model should be in the sense that you accept and love without question, even when concerning a perfect stranger. You believe in respect for the individual, along with justice and equality for all.
You are, in all I have seen, beautiful.
Morally, as a person, you are golden, in what I have seen. Your reaction to my post tells me that personally, on your deepest level, that you are genuine in those feelings and morals, and that is rare in my world. I mean, you are the black opal. Which, if you have never seen or heard of it, is a rare stone, which can look like it contains fire, or galaxies. (https://www.thefrenchblue.com/rww_blog/wp-content/uploads/Three-blacks-in-the-hand.jpg
and the galaxy
https://www.opalinda.com/images/stories/opalinda/sitep1130bbrut.jpg)
Your passion is not only acting, but ACTING. You do not need a stage or script to impact others. You just do the next right thing.
As a person, you are stunning. You are, in a sense, infectious. With a single post, you showed me that there are people who care in this world, and I opened up, though not completely, to you. Someone I have never met, and I don’t even do that with people I have known for years. I believe it is because you are genuinely good. With a reply, you proved that feeling and surpassed my initial belief of that. You are amazing.
One day, I hope that I can impact someone as you have impacted me. One day, I hope I can change, and even save a life. One day, I hope I can meet and personally thank you for all you have done. All of you, though, you more so, because of your kindness towards me.
You are the kind of courageous I hope I can be one day. I hope that I can be someone who changes the world, even if it is not its entirety, but the entirety of an individual.
I want to thank you for being there for me, offering friendship, an ear, and support. I want to thank you for doing what you do for the world and its individuals, for being courageous, a hero. I want to thank you for being beautiful, but mostly, I want to thank you for being YOU, Kate.
Yours,
Jamison
PS, Thanks for the cooties. =P
PPS, I have also decided to pick up making YouTube videos again (though on a new account) and will this time be out as Jamison, to see if it can be used as a type of outlet. Once I get one, or a few up, please feel free to visit my channel. I will definitely post a link to the Out With Dad series with every post, in hopes to get you more viewers.
Also, I got paid, and I am taking some out of my lunch money (bring on the Ramen and left overs, hahaha) in order to donate, since that is the only place I have that I can borrow from without putting me in (more) debt, or leaving me without gas money for work/school. No arguing, and no worries. I promise you I won’t starve. =)
It’s terrible to hear about that kind of thing, and how helpless you were in that situation. I myself am still in high school, completely closeted, so I feel helpless when people start insulting gays as I’m terrified that if I speak out too much they’ll realise. It’s silly because you’d really expect things to be better in such a developed country (I live over across the pond in Switzerland). People claim that they’re not at all homophobic, yet the things they say so casually off hand are absolutely atrocious. The worst part is that they’ve become so accustomed to how they are that they barely realise it. A few months back I was talking about religion in general with an acquaintance (I wouldn’t go as far as saying friend, especially not after this). She was talking about Catholicism in general (due to the fact that I was and am a fervent Protestant. Though to be honest I think that the religious rivalry itself is insane since we’re all children of God). Anyway, at one point she just went off on this huge rant about how at least her church does something about “the gay problem”. Those words exactly. It felt almost somewhat surreal, almost too much like “the jewish problem” that the Nazis so often referred to…
Anyway, best of luck with the show and the job, and thank you so much for making such an amazing show. It helps so much, giving those of us still in the closet and/or suffering from problems similar to those in the show, a lot of hope for the future.
Thanks 🙂
Hey Tara!
Thank you for your kind words. My experience seems insignificant in comparison to yours. The comment thing is pretty typical here in Toronto to; people who claim to not be homophobic using gay slurs and making underhanded comments. I hope that when you get out of high school, you will feel comfortable enough to come out and help educate the people around you that the things they say are hurtful. Your comparison to the Nazis was bang on. Like George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. OWD is doing its best is to teach people to have an open mind and, at the very least, live and let live. I wish you all the happiness in your future and thank you so much for taking the time to be a supportive fan.
Hugs and kisses,
Kate
Hi Kate,
thank you for sharing your experience. Something quite similar to your situation happend to me a few weeks ago. I work in a travel agency and a customer came back from his vacation to our office to report on his dissatisfaction. In most cases it’s just normal stuff about rooms being not clean enough for German standards or noise pollution through hotel constructions. But this guy really got me speechless…
He went to a popular hotel at Playa del Inglés on Gran Canary (Spain) as he wished to. He said the hotel itself was fine and everyone there was very nice and kind. But he was “shocked” and felt “disgusted” when he left his hotel and went to the beach and the bars and saw “mostly” gay people making out with each other, kissing or holding hands (oh no!). I asked him if they did something offensive in his presence and he answered that the couples mostly stopped when he shot darts at them. But only the knowledge that they will continue as he turns away and do “whatever they do” got him chilled to the bone.
He got really loud explaining his annoyance and why he thinks this “gay behavior” is wrong, also mentioning God and other reasons. He felt betrayed because nobody told him that there will be “such people” and wouldn’t have booked it if he knew that before. As Gran Canary is a very famous gay-friendly island and everyone I know knows that and nobody ever complained, and we sell it very often to every kind of customer, from singles to families, the whole office was listening and waiting for my reaction.
I just sat there, staring at him, speechless… I really did not know what to do. On one hand I wanted to shout back and kick him out of the office as I truly felt offended by him personally and was boiling on the inside. On the other hand I had to be nice as it is my job to listen to customer’s complaints and trying to solve the problems. So I tried to calm him (and myself) down. I don’t actually know what I said ‘cause it drives me mad again by only thinking about this guy. However it seemed I did a good job because he left the office soon after without wanting any compensation or reporting us. But he promised he will not book at our agency again which didn’t bother me either.
I still can’t understand why people think being LGBTQ is wrong and it is a choice you make somewhere in your life. You are or you’re not. That’s that easy. (The other way round we don’t blame other people for being hetero, do we?) It needs time to realize IF you are, sometimes it takes decades, but you will know sooner or later.
You can try to hide and act “normal” but that doesn’t make you a bit happier. I know it’s hard to come out, I’m still not out everywhere, but it’s important that you feel comfortable with yourself, accepting, loving yourself again. Out with Dad definitely helped me with that part. I found myself so often in that series and sometimes it feels like they took some parts of the story from my life. The relationship between Rose and Kenny, I also have a best male friend and people still think we are a couple sometimes because we are so close. That problem with Rose and Vanessa, sadly my first crush doesn’t speak to me anymore… There is so much…
Furthermore OWT got me to get in touch with a very kind and lovely woman whose daughter is also gay, and we wrote long PMs over Facebook and talked about all that stuff and problems. (Thank you for that by the way if you read this!)
I want to thank everyone involved in OWT for creating and realizing such an amazing work!!! Also I want to thank every single person who donated, shared and spread the word for pushing it forward and helping OWT and it’s cause to getting heard and hopefully someday totally accepted.
Phew, that got longer than I expected… Sorry for that.
If you are still reading and made it until waaay down here: Thank you for reading! 😉 And thank you again, Kate, for being part of something so important for me! I never thought a web-series could mean so much to me and so many other people! Keep being yourself, which is really amazing!!! And don’t bother stupid guys like that one you told us about… Thank you!
Oh, and every other person reading this: KEEP DONATING!!!
Hi Pia!
Thank you very much for responding. It does help to be able to share and relate personal experiences with other people. I’m happy to hear that guy didn’t make any more of a stink out of it and just left. He’s going to have a hard time finding a place in the world that is completely free of LGBT travelers. He is going to have a very irritated existence if being around other people enjoying their lives gets under his skin this much,
I never get tired of hearing about how OWD has helped people, and in your case, brought people together. I wrote this piece as a way to remind fans (the really frustrated ones) that the money they are donating is not going towards me to go on holiday to South East Asia (though if anyone wants to create a kickstarter for that, I won’t object) The money is going toward the hours and hours of work that the post production crew is going to put into making season 3 look amazing. So thank you soo much for helping our cause but simply being an engaged fan. You may never really understand what that means to me, the OWD family and strangers everywhere.
All the best,
Kate
Thank you too for your response, Kate!
I actually just realized I wrote OWT instead of OWD. Don’t know where that came from… Probably I was just tired since it was at dead of night over here as I wrote it. Sorry…
I give you really great credit for responding to every comment personally and spending your free time on getting in touch with strangers, thanks!
I was aware of you not gaining the big money with the series (otherwise you wouldn’t work as a concierge, right?!) but gaining experiences and getting richer in that way every day!
I would go as far as saying OWD is a kind of charity, which gets donations from supporters and makes the world a better place by spreading the good cause and open people’s minds!
I wish you all the best and good luck with your acting career and hope I’ll see you soon in more productions (maybe with a little fee for realizing more traveling plans?). All I can do for that for now is finding some nice reasonably priced flights! 😉
That is truly awful what that man has said to you, and I’m very sorry that you had to be in such an uncomfortable situation. Although I know that many people have been in that kind of situation and worse, and it is my only hope that fewer people have to as time goes on, and maybe one day everyone will understand. And if something good can come from that, then maybe it’s OK that this had to happen.
I wish I had the money to spare, but in my current position, I don’t believe I can contribute other than sharing and watching the episodes again and again (which is something I do because I love this series so much). I hope that as long as Out with Dad and other things like it are around, that our world can become a more accepting place, and that more people understand what it really means to identify under the LGBTQ umbrella and be a part of the community.
I myself am still in a Questioning time, but I do know what it is like to be in love with someone that may not be the immediate expectation of society in general. I, somewhat like Rose, fell in love with my best friend. It might not be the same for me, since it’s not so much as I am being separated from her from other forces as that I am scared to tell her, even though I know she is an LGBTQ ally. Even if I haven’t been able to act on my feelings just yet, watching Out with Dad, apart from just being a great story with great characters, is something that, in some ways, I can identify with things that I feel. I’m looking forward to what comes next! Let’s make a better world!
Hi Katie! Great name by the way.
Thank you soo much for watching and sharing, We understand when people can’t donate, so the fact that they take the time to share makes us very happy.
You are in a tough spot now. And OWD has been able to be a representative of your situation. I hope that at the very minimum, we can help you feel less alone. I am someone who has the luxury of not defining my sexuality (based on where I live). I consider myself neither straight or gay, Weirdly enough some of the homosexual community has an issue with this. Bi-phobia is something we will tackle in the next season so thank you sooo much for sharing because the donations you may bring in will help a lot.
I wish you happiness and love.
Dear Kate, you have to feel sad for the guy and others like them too. Not only do they hurt others with what they say but they also hurt them selves. I am 52 and a bi male, I came out in the 90’s but before I did I had a few lesbian friends in the 80’s. They were some of the coolest people that I have ever met. Three of them are still my friends today.I think back on all of the queer people I have met before I came out and could have been friends with, I just didn’t do a disservice to them but to my self too. Now I hear these kind of people and don’t say a word because I know who they are really hurting, them selves!! I thank you and everyone at OWD and keep up the good work. I am torn, Vanessa was your first love and I really wanted it to work but I just want Rose to be happy. 🙂
Hi Mike! That’s my brother’s name!
I completely agree. I do feel sorry for him. He will never really allow people into his life who could inspire him in both a spiritual and intellectual way. He is denying himself of the type of people who’s minds are not just open, but experienced, traveled and understanding. Hopefully, he will realize the possibilities of his life, before it’s too late. Thank you soooooo much for being a fan of the show. I just realized that I haven’t responded to the “team Vanessa and Claire” thing that is happening on this thread. I guess I should mention that I’m tea………
Kate,
I want to thank you and the cast of OWD for making a difference. The show has helped me alot. I’m a 14 yeah old bisexual who lives in a homophobic home. My adoptive parents would kick me out if they found out that my “best friend” Tiffany was actually my girlfiend. My biological mom and sister however was the first of my family to know. They are accepting. I’m proud of who I am and all my friends are aware of that. Again I want to thank you Kate. You guys have made a difference
kate, i would like to thank you and all the OWD cast for taking time tosho you are. I’m a 14 year old bisexual living in a homophobic home. neither of my adoptive parents are aware of my sexuality but i have told my biological mom and a few ofmy siblings. I understand the frutration you felt toward that man because i feel the same frustration every day. Again Kate, thank you for what you are doing.
Hi Daisy!
Thank you so much for commenting. I’ll pass on your thank yous to everyone. I’m sorry to hear that you have to keep your sexuality a secret. Hopefully one day, you can come out to your family (both biological and adoptive) and they will support you. You will always have support from places like OWD and you should start looking into resources in your area (helplines, Gay-Straight Alliances, etc). It is imperative that you keep in touch with people who share your experiences and remind you that you are not alone. Thanks for all your OWD support and I truly wish you all the best.
Kate
At first I like to thank you for OWD, it is just genius!
For me coming out was not that easy. I’m living in a small village in germany and many people are old here, also i think they are conservative, not all i guess. So with 15 i found out, that i am lesbian and i think i was a bit afraid of what people could say to me or behinde my back. At first i just came out to my family and my best friends. For them everything was all right. Time passed and i came out to more friends, they where a bit angry that i didn’t tell them before but they all understood, that i was in a way afraid. Of course i am proud of who i am and now i understand, that i don’t care what other people say because it is my life and i should be happy with it. Also i know, that my friends stand behinde me, that makes me stronger too.
i’m 17 now and never get bullied for who i am, yet. I think people speak over me behinde my back, but who cares? If they are not even brave enough to speak to myself how could i take them serious?
Fissel
P.s.: Also totally team claire ! <3
Hi Fissel!
Thanks for reading and responding. I think OWD is genius too. It’s an amazing cast and crew to be a part of. I’m very happy to hear that after a rocky start, you are confident and happy with who you are. You are right to not take ignorant and hurtful comments seriously. You are an inspiration to myself and I’m sure many others.
All the best!
Kate
Kate,
I am a 28 gay female in the military, I am proud of who I am in every sense. I am proud to serve my country , I am proud of my job, I am proud I was allowed to marry my wife earlier this year…. However I am saddened this behaviour still exists, not just in Canada, in the UK, in the Caribbean, in some of the most accepting and cosmopolitan places in the world.
I am sorry you had to suffer through this, I am sorry you couldn’t speak out, I am sorry it effected you so deeply. I love OWD, I wish something similar had been around 10 years ago… (Side note, I cannot believe its been that long) when I had to face similar comments from the people I went to uni with, from my parents and most of the people I considered friends. I was told I couldn’t volunteer with a kids club, in case I led them astray with my lifestyle choice. I was told it was unnatural, that I was going to hell, (as an agnostic this one wasn’t as hurtful as it was meant), that my life would be miserable because of my decision. I am the happiest I have ever been so I think hey we’re wrong…
I know I am a stranger but I am sitting here writing to you (and all the cast and production team) saying thank you. Your bravery makes life easier for so many people, your passion gives people hope and your show helps them be themselves. Don’t explode, don’t be furious, be proud and thankful and happy you are part of something so wonderful.
NPW
P.S I am totally Team Claire!
Hi N.P.W!
First off, I would like to thank you for your service in the military. You said that I was brave, but you are the one who’s bravery is the most outstanding of all. It’s wonderful to hear that you are proud of who you are and married to the woman you love. You absolutely should be. I am honoured that you took the time to reply.
It was an interesting experience because I normally get to fight back. He made me feel very trapped, which is something I haven’t experienced before. I thought I had felt real sympathy for those with no voice before. Now I can say that I was finally felling genuine empathy. I participate in Out With Dad because I know this kind of thing is rampant all over the world, and I want to everything I can to hep change the next generation’s point of view. I am lucky that I can channel my anger, sadness and frustration into my acting and have it reach wonderful strangers like yourself.I am truly proud of it.
Hugs and Kisses from Toronto and thank you again for your brave service.
Kate
Kate,
After your lovely reply and again thinking about the appalling situation you found yourself in I have been inspired once again to contribute. Its not much I’m afraid.. still paying off the wedding but its means you’ll be a little closer to launching season 3.
OWD is clearly so important to so many closeted, scared and vulnerable people and and i hope it can help people find their voice in the trapped environments they find themselves in.
I have told a lot of young people, i either teach or work with about OWD so your message and plight is spreading. Keep it up and please don’t let narrow-minded bigots like this get to you.
N.P.W
Another boy killed himself, here in Italy, because of the bullying “friends”… It’s so sad, he was only 14! I’m Catholic, and I’m the father of a gay son, who I love with all my heart. I don’t think God refuses gay people, because He’s Love, and love is all we need, love for every person. As you said, we ALL deserve to love and be loved. Thank you for your work as an actress in this series. Though I live very far from Canada, I think this work can really help a lot of people
Hi Massimo,
I am so sorry to hear about that boy. It is truly tragic that he felt like there was no hope for his life. However, I’m am so happy to hear that you love your son with all your heart. That honestly put a smile on face. He is very lucky to have a father like you. I was raised Catholic, and do believe the teachings of Jesus are intended to be about good things. It’s a shame that some people go about it the wrong way. Hopefully, shows like Out With Dad can help give the next generations a more positive point of view.
Lots of love from everyone here at OWD.
Kate
Massimo,
Thank you again for your (second) donation! Together we can change the world!