Community Spotlight

Ashli C. | WORTHY MENTOR

I joined Worthy Mentoring to become the person I would have needed when I was younger. My coming out process spanned several years and was accompanied by many difficult moments with the people I love the most. Having to navigate work, life and love as a queer person is difficult enough, and no one should have to do it alone.

Amir B. | WORTHY MENTOR

Coming out has been a long difficult process for me. Not necessarily an internal struggle when I let myself explore my feelings, but one marred by societal expectations. Having a multi ethnic and religious background, I understand how it feels to be afraid of your own family’s reaction to your existence and to have to navigate homophobia and tough conversations. I signed up to be a Worthy Mentor so that others do not have to fumble in the dark the way I did. I want self discovery for people not tied to sexual encounters. I want a world where LGBTQ+ individuals can come out on their terms and have meaningful connections.

Toreno H. | WORTHY MENTOR

My coming out was not easy.  I was very scared I would lose my identity and hurt my parents.  Neither of those occurred, however, I was able to begin growing as a person and make important changes in my life.  In early work experiences, I was not comfortable with coming out to coworkers, and it kept a major barrier between them and me.  It wasn't until I joined a large metropolitan police department that I felt I needed to write my own narrative.  I began coming out to people on my shift, and then to close colleagues and friends.  I did not hide the fact that I was a happy and open gay male anymore.  I have experienced the tough conversations and heartache of coming out as a Black gay male.  Working in law enforcement and within the military creates its own stressors.  These struggles did not go away when I came out and I had to overcome them if I wanted to change the culture of those organizations. I signed up to be a Worthy Mentor to give people struggling with coming out under similar circumstances the ability to talk with an accepting and loving person.

Clif & Keaton | WORTHY MENTOR & Mentee

Clif - The biggest take-away from Worthy Mentoring is that there is always someone there for you. I remember reaching out to my mentee, Keaton, for the first time, and I was curious what to expect and how I could be helpful. I joined as a Worthy Mentor because I wanted to be there for someone who felt like they did not have anyone to turn to for support or guidance during tough times. I wanted to make sure I could be that friend to them - a friend I wish I could have had earlier in my LGBTQ+ journey. Our conversations started off more structured around topics, but then quickly became more and more natural as we became true friends and support systems in each other’s lives. I joined Worthy to give back as a mentor, but I have equally learned a lot from my mentee, and now my friend!

Keaton - Worthy Mentoring for me has been something that I am truly grateful for. It has allowed me to learn more about myself all while creating a true friendship through the process. When I first got matched with my mentor I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that I wanted a mentor who I could talk to about anything. Having someone to connect with from a similar background of growing up in a smaller town to exploring similar stories from the past is great. If you’re struggling with your sexuality or identity, or even if you’ve already come out but want to learn more about your community, this is the place to do it. A safe and positive experience where you can learn to be yourself and love yourself for who you were meant to be!

Gabby M. | WORTHY MENTOR

My coming out journey was both hard and beautiful. I was raised in a deeply religious household, in a deeply religious community. I was forced out to my family, and the relationship fractures that followed are still difficult for me to navigate. It's hard to know that people who love you don't love every part of you because they don't understand. In the years since, I have built a chosen family that has never questioned me as I've evolved on both the sexual identity and gender identity spectrums. I have found people within the LGBTQ+ community and allies who will always support me in ways my family won't, and I've learned how to become an advocate for people within this community who don't have the privileges I do. I became a Worthy Mentor because I needed someone like me when I was 20, and I hope I can be that someone for other young queer people. I have struggled with mental health issues my whole life, and I've learned that dealing with and learning parts of yourself alone and in the dark is scary, and that community and honesty are the keys to finding joy in who you are.