Steve Sosna, a meteorologist at NBC 10 in Philadelphia and a newly married man, sends a message to LGBTQ youth on National Coming Out Day.
If you had told me as a young, shy, closeted boy that I would spend National Coming Out Day 2017 on my honeymoon, having just married the man of my dreams mere days before, I would have thought you were absolutely nuts. And yet, here I am. And finally being at peace and joy with who I am has changed my life for the best.
I grew up as an only child and had two very hardworking parents that worked tirelessly to put a roof over my head. But I also grew up a strict Catholic, lived alongside a busy highway, had no brothers or sisters, and had very few friends that I would allow to be close to me. I was ashamed of who I was and how I lived. I worked three jobs while in high school so I could save for my first college tuition payment. During college I lived off the change in my car while working overnights as a part-time weather producer at WNBC in New York City — a dream I had since I was 8 years old. I was dirt poor, but I had a dream, and I stuck with that dream. I always dreamt of a career in the weather, and with a big and loving family to call my own.
When I met my now-husband, Jonathan, my world changed forever. I met someone who makes me stronger, makes me better, and someone who opened up a heart that was in lockdown for survival. We have been through MANY good times, and we’ve been through a couple of scary times, but we’ve done it all together. Read more via NBC