Sav (she/her) is a proud lesbian and social worker living in Wodonga, Victoria.

In this episode, Sav reflects on her journey of self-acceptance after growing up in a small rural town of just 1,000 people in New South Wales. She shares how the fear of coming out deeply impacted her mental health and how leaving her hometown gave her the space to embrace her identity. Sav discusses the importance of safety cues in the LGBTQIA+ community, the role of events like the Rainbow Ball in fostering belonging, and the power of reconnecting with her younger self through self-love and healing. She also speaks about the urgent need for regional councils and businesses to show up for the queer community, particularly in the face of rising hostility.

Trigger Warnings: Internalized homophobia, mental health struggles, and discussions of suicide.

Linda (she/her) is a 64-year-old pansexual woman living in Shepparton, Victoria, who recently discovered her queer identity.

In this episode, Linda shares her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, coming to the realization that she was queer just months before this conversation. She reflects on a lifetime of feeling like she didn’t quite fit in, how societal expectations shaped her path, and the immense relief of finally understanding herself. Linda discusses her involvement with Goulburn Valley Pride, the joy of finding community later in life, and the small but powerful ways she is embracing her authentic self—right down to her wardrobe choices. She also opens up about past struggles with depression and how coming into her identity has brought her a sense of freedom she never thought possible.

Trigger Warnings: Depression, internalized struggles, and discussions of identity suppression.

Olivia (she/her) is a Polish, Bosnian, Italian, Australian cis woman living with her wife and young child in a small town west of Albury-Wodonga.

In this episode, Olivia reflects on her experience growing up in a Catholic family and the challenges she faced while coming to terms with her identity as a young lesbian woman. She shares the powerful moment she first said the words "I am a lesbian" to herself and how that act of self-acceptance changed her life. Olivia also discusses her long career working with and for LGBTQIA+ young people, her passion for personal storytelling as a tool for advocacy, and the joy of raising a child in a close-knit regional community. From weddings to motherhood, intersectionality, and activism, Olivia’s story is one of resilience, love, and connection.

Trigger Warnings: Internalized homophobia, religious-based stigma, and discussions of family conflict.