Coming Out – Olivia Meeks

COMING OUT AT WORK

When I moved from my very comfortable and liberal workplace in North Carolina to teach in Texas, I wasn’t sure what coming out would be like. Here are the steps I took and they could be helpful for others, too. I’ll be sharing what it was like after having found a position, but here isContinue reading “COMING OUT AT WORK”

IF PRIDE MONTH IS COMPLICATED FOR YOU

Happy June, friends. I’m fully into summer mode, which for this teacher means time-off from school and time-on for writing and creating. And, since it’s June, that means it’s Pride month! I wrote last year about my first-ever Pride parade and how meaningful it was. I still think about that marching band probably on aContinue reading “IF PRIDE MONTH IS COMPLICATED FOR YOU”

TO THE CHRISTIAN PARENTS WHOSE CHILD JUST CAME OUT

Dear Parent, I imagine you are feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions: confusion, worry, fear, and maybe even regret. Please let me speak to those and may these words land on open hearts. If you’re confused and worried you’ve done something wrong, please drop that narrative as soon as you can. It’s allowing your child’sContinue reading “TO THE CHRISTIAN PARENTS WHOSE CHILD JUST CAME OUT”

WHEN TIME GIVES BACK

Last week I shared about how giving time to those you love when you come out is a tricky dance. You have to respect their insecurities and your own vulnerability. Read it here. Olivia and I moved to Austin, Texas in July 2019. One of my sisters and her husband already lived within an hourContinue reading “WHEN TIME GIVES BACK”

“GIVE THEM TIME”

I’ve had a few more requests for coming out advice in recent weeks, and I’m noticing one thing I’m saying over and over again: Give them time. I had to give my parents time. I came out to my mom and didn’t immediately tell her I had a girlfriend. After a few weeks when IContinue reading ““GIVE THEM TIME””

5 REFLECTIONS FROM A GAY TEACHER

I’ve taught in the classroom for two years and taught dance for five years before that. I fought this part of my identity for much of my growing up, not wanting to be just like my mom and my sister who were both educators. Now look at me – loving being in the classroom andContinue reading “5 REFLECTIONS FROM A GAY TEACHER”

ALL THE WAYS

When we say the phrase “coming out” we think of the emotional one: the one where we sit down parents, the one where we leave a church, or the one with tears of solidarity or disappointment. That’s not the one I’m talking about. I’m talking about all the other smaller, more nuanced ones. I wasContinue reading “ALL THE WAYS”