This amazing Pup Tale! Kris (aka Pup Atlas) is just the nicest guy (says everyone who knows him). But when you grow up being nice to everyone, having a kind heart, and being so trusting, you get teased and made fun of, a lot! And that's exactly what happened to Kris. As a youth, Kris endured the torments of his peers and siblings, but all of that continued to shape him into a person who is respected, appreciated, and welcomed in many circles. Finding a solid group of friends through his dabbling with martial arts, Kris was able to conquer several major hurdles in life - his family moving, his father being very ill, and the ever-lingering doubt and uncertainty of his sexuality. Kris has found consolation and comfort in embracing the Pup Life, now living a life as an out and proud gay man. What does the Pup experience provide? What is this niche kink in the gay community? Well, come listen to Kris' story now and hear his incredible adventure of finding and embracing his true self! Pup Atlas was also so brave as to share his written words for our website. You can read his and many other stories, here: https://itsoktobegaypodcast.com/your-stories Kris (Pup Atlas) is also participating in the Route 66 Kink Weekend in Oklahoma City - July 20-23, 2023. Go and support Pup Atlas! https://www.okckinkweekend.com

PART TWO of The One About The Edgy Wiccan What's more stressful for a gay kid growing up in a small, Christian town in Texas? Growing up as a Mormon in a small, Christian town! Travis, who goes by Avis now, identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he/him/his. Coming from a large, blended family, Avis was actually born an uncle, and certainly had his fair share of difficulties growing up.  Discovering that he was part of the LGBTQ+ community at an early age, Avis did what all adolescents did in the mid 90's and explored his sexuality through the Internet. Knowing that his sexuality was going to be a complicated concept for his family to accept, Avis turned to a pretty exotic outlet, adapting an interest in being a witch and dabbling with Wicca.  Surprisingly, he found a niche in his high school years and found the confidence and assurance to let his family know his truth. Their acceptance was slow-rolling, but has progressed over the years.  Avis also boasts a background in hermeneutics and philosophy, which always makes for excellent discussion and arguments.The star of his own YouTube channel, as well, Avis certainly has an exciting tale to tell, and we are pleased to be able to share a portion of his life's story! Listen now to Part One of Avis' wonderfully edgy Wiccan tale!

What's more stressful for a gay kid growing up in a small, Christian town in Texas? Growing up as a Mormon in a small, Christian town! Travis, who goes by Avis now, identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he/him/his. Coming from a large, blended family, Avis was actually born an uncle, and certainly had his fair share of difficulties growing up.  Discovering that he was part of the LGBTQ+ community at an early age, Avis did what all adolescents did in the mid 90's and explored his sexuality through the Internet. Knowing that his sexuality was going to be a complicated concept for his family to accept, Avis turned to a pretty exotic outlet, adapting an interest in being a witch and dabbling with Wicca.  Surprisingly, he found a niche in his high school years and found the confidence and assurance to let his family know his truth. Their acceptance was slow-rolling, but has progressed over the years.  Avis also boasts a background in hermeneutics and philosophy, which always makes for excellent discussion and arguments.The star of his own YouTube channel, as well, Avis certainly has an exciting tale to tell, and we are pleased to be able to share a portion of his life's story! Listen now to Part One of Avis' wonderfully edgy Wiccan tale!

Authentic. Unapologetic. Hilarious. "A Bulldozer of a personality." You will want to listen to every word of Rose's story! Rose uses the pronouns Zie/Zir and adopts a beautiful persona as a Trash Lesbian. Currently working as a professor and director in the operatic arts, zie travels around the world engaging youth and young adults with zir dynamic and incredibly outgoing personality. Zie explains the journey growing up in incredibly rural Wisconsin and recognizing that zie was a member of the LGBTQ+ community at an early age. Zie worked hard to discover zir gender identity and embrace that in every aspect of zir life. With a boisterous, but genuinely kind personality, Rose has an exciting and informational story to share. Running a gay underground railroad in her early years, having been on the forefront of gay marriage, and now working in the arts, Rose's story is enlightening, encouraging, and entertaining. With the help of David, zie WAS able to reclaim zir website mentioned in the episode: TrashLesbian.com :)  :) Yaaaaaaassss! Also mentioned is the outstanding work of Alison Bechdel "Dykes to Watch Out For." A great read for anyone in the LGBTQ+ circle, but especially our lesbian sisters and trans friends. DykesToWatchOutFor.com And this wouldn't be complete without a link to Rose's professional website: rosefreeman.org

Corey is in his early 20s and recognized and accepted his own sexuality early on in his youth. As a young man, Corey experienced the pains and hardships of being sent away to military school, being alone in his self-recognition, and being disowned by his parents (his adoptive, Christian parents, nonetheless). Despite these hardships and incredible struggles, Corey remains true to himself and stands strong against bending and flexing to fit into the boxes that his family and society suggest he must. His journey to becoming his authentic self has required years of code-switching between being the Corey that everyone wanted him to be and being the Corey who he knew he was, deep inside. As a youth, he was never able to openly identify and it wasn't until high school that he found the courage and determination to be himself. Come hear Corey's Story and learn about how this incredible young man conquered a tremendous amount of judgment, hate, and nonacceptance to become the proud and strong gay man that he is now. YouTube.com/@ItsOKToBeGayPodcast

This is Charlie and he is a beautiful disaster. Charlie is from the Dallas, TX area and grew up in an incredibly religious and supportive (of "normal" things) household. His parents cherished their three boys and raised them to be the best men. Unfortunately, being gay was not an acceptable reality for any of these boys.  Charlie, who knew he was gay as early as grade school, had to grow up hiding who he was, never embracing his true self, and living with people who he thought would never accept him.Charlie is active in comedy and the theater arts, has worked in many productions throughout the country, and now lives in Pennsylvania. Our host, David, has known Charlie for over two decades and grew up as family friends and shared many life events together. They were both active in the same youth ministry group, David as an adult, Charlie as a teen, but were both living this same, secret life (unbeknownst to one another). Being able to reconnect with Charlie for this podcast was incredibly therapeutic for David, and being able to hear Charlie's incredible story of adjusting to being his authentic self was so inspiring. Join us as we peel back the layers of Charlie's life and reveal who this awesome young man really is - this perfect, amazing, and beautiful disaster!

PART TWO! Did you dream about growing up to the be the next Pope also!? You and Spencer have so much in common!! Spencer and David met during their mutual time in seminary. The only difference is that Spencer spent more than 5 years before that also in formation for a religious order. Spencer tells a tale of growing up in a conservative religious household where being "properly ordered" was of utmost importance, discusses where he first fell in love (it's not where you'd normally think), and explains his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. He is now happily living in Houston, Texas, having left ministry and the church, but having recognized an important aspect about his life. Come listen as to where Spencer finds himself on the LGBTQ+ spectrum today and hear PART ONE of his incredible tale. Spencer was also very instrumental in helping actualize the It's OK To Be Gay Podcast, so we wish to express our true gratitude for his encouragement, the details he shared, and his willingness to help get things off the ground here! Spencer and a group of his ex-seminarian brothers host a podcast of their own, called "The CoFounders." You can find their podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BVDNWCSVRTOTK8amJ8Gjp

Did you dream about growing up to the be the next Pope also!? You and Spencer have so much in common!! Spencer and David met during their mutual time in seminary. The only difference is that Spencer spent more than 5 years before that also in formation for a religious order. Spencer tells a tale of growing up in a conservative religious household where being "properly ordered" was of utmost importance, discusses where he first fell in love (it's not where you'd normally think), and explains his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. He is now happily living in Houston, Texas, having left ministry and the church, but having recognized an important aspect about his life. Come listen as to where Spencer finds himself on the LGBTQ+ spectrum today and hear PART ONE of his incredible tale. Spencer was also very instrumental in helping actualize the It's OK To Be Gay Podcast, so we wish to express our true gratitude for his encouragement, the details he shared, and his willingness to help get things off the ground here! Spencer and a group of his ex-seminarian brothers host a podcast of their own, called "The CoFounders." You can find their podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BVDNWCSVRTOTK8amJ8Gjp

When you're from the Rio Grande Valley and go to one of the most conservative schools in Texas, life can be challenging. What can be even more challenging is when you are doing that as a young gay man. Sometimes life is a struggle, sometimes it's not as bad as you'd think! Come hear Chris' story about how he navigated the uncharted waters through his late teen and early adult life as gay man. Chris tells an uplifting story about finding his true self and sharing that with his close friend group in college and later coming out in a simple way to his family. Chris now lives in Richardson, TX with his partner, and has some wise words for anyone seeking to understand how to be their authentic self wherever you are on the LGBTQ+ rainbow. Check out this week's episode here, and visit our website (ItsOKToBeGayPodcast.com) to learn more about sharing YOUR story on our podcast or on our site.

When you grow up in a household where you are constantly told that you will amount to nothing and that your place is in the kitchen or behind the ironing board, it's no wonder that Christine moved out at age 18. Her life's path took her through multiple jobs and careers, and through just about every color of the LGBTQ+ rainbow. Come hear how Christine conquered her family's lack of support, became a mother, married her beautiful wife, and is now an honor recipient in her latest endeavor! We did not have enough time in our podcast to hear about all of Christine's various jobs and careers, or successes, but she tells a familiar story of self-discovery, embracing her actual self, and now living life in a manner which allows her the comfort to be her authentic self with those she loves. Christine identifies as queer and provides an excellent explanation of why this identity matters and is applicable to so many people. Her inspirational and truly amazing story is thought provoking and up-lifting.