Out and McDonald's celebrate leaders supporting LGBTQ+ youth in upcoming “Coming Out, Me” series

Coming out isn't always linear, but there are organizations and communities to support you every step of the way.

In celebration of our shared experiences of coming into our own identities, Out has partnered with McDonald’s to launch a new five-episode video series,“Coming Out, Me.” The new series will spotlight inspiring leaders from five diverse nonprofit organizations, as they share and reflect on their personal history of self-acceptance, offer invaluable coming-out advice, and highlight the impactful work they’re doing to support LGBTQ+ youth at every stage of their coming-out journey.

In recognition of the significant impact the featured organizations have on LGBTQ+ lives and the essential role they play in supporting and uplifting young LGBTQ+ individuals, Out will also be making charitable contributions to each leader's organization featured in “Coming Out, Me” on behalf of McDonald's.

The iconic brand has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and Out and McDonald’s donations will strengthen the ongoing efforts of these organizations to assist and guide queer youth in need. Because whether you are grappling with questions about your identity, facing challenges in coming out, or are unable to come out due to your current circumstances, just know we are all in this together, and as soon as you're ready, you’ll have a vibrant, welcoming community ready to embrace you.

Get a glimpse of the five inspiring leaders and their organizations to be featured this National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month at Out.com/ComingOutMe.

Cristina Herrera - Founder & CEO, Translatinx Network

Over the past two decades, Cristina Herrera has been at the helm of LGBTQ+ advocacy and nonprofit organizations, including New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and Lorena Borjas Community Fund. In 2007, Herrera embarked on a new journey when she founded Translatinx Network, a nonprofit organization that works to better the lives of the immigrant LGBTQ+ communities in the New York metropolitan area. As the founder and CEO, Herrera leads Translatinx Network in addressing the needs of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming immigrant communities and offers them all the necessary resources for success in the world, including food and clothing supplies, peer support groups, healthcare and legal services.

Jeff Katz - Senior Director of Development, True Colors United

Since October 2022, Jeff Katz has been serving True Colors United as the Senior Director of Development. Founded in 2008 by LGBTQ+ icon Cyndi Lauper and her group of friends, True Colors United is a nonprofit organization that develops and implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness with a focus on LGBTQ+ young people. Bringing his passion for advocacy and expertise in queer media to True Colors United, Katz oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts and supporter engagement. Katz also works directly with homeless LGBTQ+ youth to better understand their needs and facilitates free training and resources for shelters and service providers.

Jean-Marie Navetta - Vice President of Learning Programs, Out & Equal

“Everyone deserves to feel included,” says Jean-Marie Navetta — VP of Learning Programs at Out & Equal — of her leadership philosophy, which perfectly aligns with the organization’s mission. Out & Equal, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, works exclusively on issues surrounding LGBTQ+ equality in the workforce, aiming to create a culturally accepting work environment free of discrimination for everybody, especially for LGBTQ+ workers. Specifically, Navetta leads the nonprofit to collaborate with leading corporations and their employees, providing them with equality research, educational conferences and professional development to foster a workplace fully inclusive of the queer employees.

Maryse Pearce -Program Director, Stonewall Community Foundation

For more than five years, Maryse Pearce has been connecting LGBTQ+ organizations with resources they need to thrive at Stonewall Community Foundation — a public foundation by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Each year, Stonewall Community Foundation raises money and funds more than one hundred LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations in New York City and the United States. As Program Director, Pearce works to advance queer liberation and address issues in racial, social and economic justice, by leveraging her expertise in writing, public speaking and LGBTQ+ issues.

Brandon Wolf - National Press Secretary, Human Rights Campaign

Having survived the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016 and subsequently losing his best friend, Brandon Wolf especially understands the dangers of queer exclusion and the importance of LGBTQ+ representations. To ensure queer voices are heard, Wolf proudly joined Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the U.S. — as the National Press Secretary last year. In his role, Wolf fights for queer youth to have the opportunities to be openly and unapologetically themselves, while building on HRC’s mission to advance pro-equality legislation and end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

This story is brought to you by our partners at McDonald’s.