How would a religious parent respond to their child coming out as gay? And then coming out again as non-binary later in life? 

Deni Todorovič is an activist and a content creator who comes out as queer and non-binary most days.

Deni has known they were gay since early childhood when they would kiss a poster of ‘90210’ star Brian Austin Green alone in their bedroom. But growing up in a religious, Serbian family in Geelong in the 90’s meant Deni didn’t know any gay people, so it wasn’t until their late teens when they finally came out to their family.

Deni came out again as non-binary in 2020, after non-binary musician Sam Smith gave a name to feelings Deni had been experiencing since childhood.

In this episode Deni opens up to host Sean Szeps about how culture and religion intersects with their gender and sexuality, suppressing their sexuality to try and fit in as a kid and deliberately standing out as a gay, non-binary adult.

If this episode brought up any feelings for you or you want more information, these resources may help you:

QLife: Call 1800 184 527 for a free phone service every day from 3pm – midnight. Visit their website au.mimecast.com/s/yVydCr81gOcnM45lSQ0VBB?domain=qlife.org.au">www.qlife.org.au for a free webchat

Minus18: Australia’s LGBTQIA+ charity. Follow them on social @minus18youth or visit their website on au.mimecast.com/s/KnRgCvl1mVuL1rDziwuAeD?domain=minus18.org.au">www.minus18.org.au for resources, events and training for your school or workplace

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 for 24-hour crisis support

What does it mean to be non-binary? au.mimecast.com/s/Iqd5CwV1nWFV6gD3SlmSkk?domain=minus18.org.au">https://www.minus18.org.au/articles/i-just-came-out-as-non-binary-here's-what-that-means

If you want to be a part of the Come Out Wherever You Are community, you can follow us on Instagram:

@comeoutwhereveryouare

@seanszeps

@stylebydeni

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.