The RUComingOut website was set up in March 2012 to share real life coming out stories in a way that would support and inspire others who were struggling to come to terms with their own sexuality or gender identity. The site was instantly popular with people from all over the world, signalling that there was a real need for this type of LGBT support. As we approach the fourth RUComingOut birthday in April it's a great opportunity to look back and reflect on what we've done as well as looking towards the future. Since March 2012...
★ Almost 400,000 people have visited this website from more than 170 countries
★ More than 300 people have shared their coming out story
★ Celebrities such as Beverley Knight, Jake Shears, Olly Murs, Cheryl Cole, Mel B, Dermot OLeary and Olly Alexander have supported our campaign
★ RUComingOut has appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine, London Evening Standard, DIVA magazine, OK! magazine, The Independent and many more
★ We've hosted four events to raise money for Stonewall Equality and Cancer Research UK
In January 2016, after a six month application process, RUComingOut was entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1165023. Becoming a registered charity will enable us to significantly expand our reach as well as being able to work in new and exciting ways to share coming out stories and support lesbian, gay, bi and trans people around the world. We have lots of ideas and plans that we will begin to work on in the coming year but our main priorities for 2016 will be...
★ To produce the first RUComingOut book of coming out stories and essays and distribute it free of charge to 1000 schools in England and Wales
★ To significantly increase the number of coming out stories on this site from lesbians, bi people, trans people and those who identify as non-binary
★ To host an exciting fundraising event
★ To build relationships with other LGBT+ charities and organisations
Although RUComingOut is almost four years old, we feel that this is the start of something really exciting and we would love for you to join us on the journey. If you have any ideas, suggestions or feedback about RUComingOut please email wayne@rucomingout.com.
Follow us on Twitter @rucomingout
Follow us on Instagram @rucomingout
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/rucomingout
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to, or supported RUComingOut - we would not be here without you.
The RUComingOut Team x