Emily Piccinin just graduated from Brooks Secondary School this year. She loves the beach, sunsets, hiking and, most importantly, herself.
Coming out isn’t easy in a small town. For this 18-year-old, it meant facing those who teased her for dressing like a guy and liking girls.
It’s hard to come out when comments like “that’s gay” teach you that being anything other than heterosexual is inherently bad. So what do you do?
“You just kind of try and fit in with what’s there rather than, I don’t know, be more comfortable, be yourself, and you know, meet people that way,” said Piccinin. “Try to just fit in.”
She said she always knew who she was, but there were parts of her she wasn’t ready to accept just yet.
“Growing up, I kind of always knew,” she added. “I kind of made fun of it, which kind of made me more scared to come out.”
With the help of quarantine and a little time to look inside herself, she realized what she liked and what she needed.
“I realized that it doesn’t really matter what people say as long as you’re happy with yourself.”
The Powell River resident came out in March of 2020. She was set up with her now girlfriend just over a year later, and they officially started dating June 1, the first day of Pride month.
Since coming out, Piccinin said she finally feels like herself, and life has been easier because of it. She said she’s felt supported by the people in her life who love and care for her.
For those struggling with their own identities or finding a way to love themselves, Piccinin said they should try to reach out to their close supporters, or try a local or online Pride group.
“Don’t worry about what other people say and what you think they’ll think,” she added. “A lot of people will accept you no matter what, and it's a lot easier to just be yourself. It’s made it way easier for my mental health, being out, and accepting and embracing who I am.”
Now that she’s graduated, she hopes to land some hands-on experience in carpentry so, in her spare time, she can convert a livable van to travel in with her girlfriend.
She’s excited to see her community members supporting one another in the streets this week, but she doesn’t want it to end there.
“There’s Pride month and Pride week,” said Piccinin, “but Pride should be all year round, you know?”
