Why did we create Worthy?

Michael Edmonson, Jr. | Co-Founder & CEO

I’ll never forget the day that I decided to come out as a gay man. I was terrified of how others would react, how my own family would react, and how my friendships might change. Living in Louisiana, I didn’t have a lot of friends in the LGBTQ+ Community, and to be honest, I didn’t know a lot about what it meant to be gay. After hours and hours of emotional conversations with my own mentors and closest friends, I decided I was ready to live my life as an open and unapologetic gay man. In the weeks afterward, it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster as I navigated difficult conversations with extended family and struggled to find my place and my voice in the LGBTQ+ Community. However, during those weeks something happened that I truly never anticipated. My coming out story spread around the college town, but instead of getting negative comments, I began to receive tons of messages from individuals asking questions like:

“How did you come out?” — “I’m struggling, should I tell my mom or dad first?” — “Are there others I can talk to about this?” — “Is it safe to be out at work?” — “Do you know of any LGBTQ+ friendly doctors?” — “Can I still be religious and be gay?”

I realized in that moment, that there were not enough resources or outlets for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community to get connected for support, guidance and friendship during difficult times. As I explored avenues and platforms to meet this critical need, I stumbled upon two incredible LGBTQ+ activists and truly wonderful people - Rex Woodbury and his partner, Ian Spear. Rex and Ian’s blogs, social media posts and activism were rooted in empowering, uplifting and connecting the LGBTQ+ community. Rex, Ian and I joined forces to create what is now the Worthy Mentoring App, so that individuals within our community who are struggling to find their place and identity never again have to go through that journey alone.

No matter your gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, profession etc., Worthy Mentoring is committed to being a safe platform that empowers each and every diverse member of the LGBTQ+ Community. Thank you for being a part of the Worthy Community and allowing others to know that they truly are worthy.

- Michael Edmonson