Lads explain what it was like coming out to their family, friends and the world
Sydney is in the midst of celebrating World Pride at the moment and the LGBTQI+ community has come out in droves for the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
This year is extra special as it's also the first ever Word Pride event in the southern hemisphere, so Pride has an extra special magic about it this time around.
To celebrate, a few lads have decided to open up about one of the biggest moments of their lives: coming out to their friends and family.
LADbible video editor Vince grew up in a small town where being a little bit different was the same as being from outer space - it just wasn't the done thing.
And if you didn't fit, it showed.
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He began his journey shortly after he moved to Sydney in 2013.
Vince revealed he'd never met another gay person before, and it took a lot of confidence to begin to understand himself.
"This world was so different," he explained in the LADbible YouTube video.
"I'd never met another openly gay person, not one.
"And not only was that happening, but it was also normal."
"My attitudes towards things started to break down a little bit. Suddenly it went from 'if I allow that thought into my head, I’m going to hell' to 'Well, maybe that's not true'.
He eventually felt sick of hiding from himself.
"I was like, 'I’m going to have fun now. And I have suffered enough'," he said.
Now Vince lives happily in Sydney with his partner.
For those coming to terms with their own sexuality, he told LADbible the best thing a person can do is be kind to themselves.
"The first step is to not be hard on yourself for who you are and how you feel. It's a beautiful thing and that's a part of you," he said.
"Once you can see that in yourself, you'll realise your friends and family already love you for all of you and it includes those feelings - they just haven't realised it yet.
"And once you know that, it becomes not something to fear but to celebrate."
LADbible social media manager Lacey-Jade Christie said there was a distinct lack of positive queer role models around when she was growing up.
She tried to come out to her mother at 16.
"My mum's line was, 'You can't be a lesbian, you've never had any lesbian experiences'."
"I kind of went back into the closet I put on the 'bisexual' label a bit more to make my mum happy."
But, after she moved to Melbourne with her boyfriend once high school was over, it didn't take Lacey-Jade long to embark on her own journey of self discovery.
He was kicked to the curb soon thereafter and she has never looked back.
Oh and her biggest piece of advice for anyone coming to terms with themselves: find a community for support.
"That's where you will find your strength," she said.
LADbible social media lead Costa said he had always known what his sexuality was, he just had to figure things out on his own.
"[It] kind of held me back a bit because, being the overly-analysing Virgo that I am, I was still just trying to make sure that I didn't disappoint my family," he said.
"I think growing up, it just took me a little while just to figure out and say to myself, 'You know what, your identity and sexuality are a beautiful part of who you are, and you deserved to be loved and accepted for exactly that!'”
"My advice for people thinking of coming out is: take your time, trust your instincts, and surround yourself with supportive and loving friends and family.”
If you are coming to terms with your own sexuality or gender and are looking for support, contact Qlife. It's an anonymous and free on 1800 184 527. If you're under 18, Minus18 is an Australian charity for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Rachel Lang