Having a GAY child doesn’t mean you failed as a parent, DISOWNING your GAY child means you Failed as a parent. Growing up was extremely hard for me because no one in my family understood me as I was developing. I was bullied in school for being “gay”... how do a kid know that at a young age? It’s not a choice although people seem to think it is... it’s important to love your kid no matter their preference.... give them the love they need to become who they will become.

Being gay is hard

If in UK being a gay is hard then I can’t imagine what people’s feel in other countries like Asia, Africa, China

Homophobia is bullying and bullying is NOT ok

When he started crying i started crying as well

Im a 17 years and gay boy My life here in north africa is really hard and having no friends and I'm so lonely even my communications skill is so bad I think that has a relationship with staying at home all the time i really hope if gay rights is normal here 😭😭💔 Sorry for my bad english

My daughter came out as gay but I had my suspicion from when she was bout 11 years old I love her dearly she my heart but she struggles every day , you just don't want your kids lives to be any harder then it has to be cause you know how awful and cruel people can be

i'm 13 and growing up gay. i'm a teenager, in secondary and british. the homophobia is actually unreal. i've moved schools, to a nicer area and also moved house to help cope with it. nothing really happened, homophobia is just wherever you go. i have lgbt friends now, and the school has been good when my friends reported some homophobia i would just never have the confidence to report because the teachers would know i'm gay. it just seems that most boys in my school don't know how to deal with it. its heartbreaking, because i'm just here to be here, and live my life. to go to school and be mocked for every slight thing i do is really depressing. it won't get better, and homophobia in 2019 is very real.

Olly is an awesome role model 🏳️‍🌈 he's so adorable and I have huge respect for his openness about mental health and being bullied.

people don't understand that people like this didn't choose to be this way. The way someone acts or sounds shouldn't affect anyone around them. bullies just need to get grip.

Gay or not, fantastic band. Deserve so much more credit. Fair play for taking time and being involved in a documentary and helping fans and others who have struggles. Hats of to you, sir.

eugh this is so true. I hate when people say things like "well, it's accepted now." Even if you grew up in the most accepting environment, you will most-likely still feel shame and shame hits deep. As much as I have grown to love being gay, I know that it has affected my confidence and mental health a lot. And straight people don't have to go through that.

This actually hurts my feelings. He got bullied when he was to 8 to 15 years old. 😫😫😭😭

I grew up in a time when in Ireland being homosexual was actually criminalised...so basically, when I was going through secondary school during the 1990's I was bullied relentlessly and had numerous death threats made against me...and what's worse, when it was unfolding in the classroom (yep, I was bullied in the classrooms) only ONE teacher ever said anything!...it wouldn't be till 1998 (I think) that homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland) and by then it was too late for me...I'm openly gay and happier now but do I still feel the impact of growing up gay, absolutely...did the school I go to in my teens let me down, absolutely...am I now ashamed to be gay, absolutely NOT!!!..

I can’t tell my parents that I’m bi- I’m a 31 year old woman living in the south, Christian, and married to a man but ever since I was in the 5th grade Iv been attracted to females, more so than men. The only person Iv ever come out to about it was actually my husband (because at this point it didn’t really matter since I married him and we have no plans of ever divorcing) but he was not happy about it at all, I just wanted to tell someone and get it off my chest but maybe I shouldn’t have. I donno... I don’t even know why I’m posting this- I just feel a lot of sadness

Here's to those who have depression and anxiety. We'll survive this one too.. Amen 🙏🏻

The worst part about being bullied as a kid is that I knew I couldn’t tell my parents anything about it, they probably would have made things worse. When I was 9, my parents told me "we would rather have a dead son than a gay son". I really hated myself, to the point that I thought ending everything would be better than being myself. Even if eventually I was able to overcome that, what I went through really broke me and left me with strong anxiety. These scars will never heal

This brought tears to my eyes… Literally every single words Holly and his mum said hit me like a bullet train at full speed.

I told my mom a year ago that I am bisexual and leaning on the gay side a lot. She got confused because I had a girlfriend just a few months before that. Now I have a boyfriend, my ex girlfriend is my best friend and my mom still does not want to accept that I can date a guy. She still prays alot and told me that if I keep on living like this they will disown me. I hope someday she comes around or I come around and drop her from my life.

You’re an amazing guy Olly, and speaking about what you’ve experienced is so extremely helpful to others. I’m a 54 year old gay man in the US and I still deal with the issues of people saying things or the fear of standing too close to my husband in public with the wrong people around. It’s a tough world filled with a lot of ignorant people, but I wouldn’t change who I am for anything! xo

I'm totally not crying. Gonna send this to my friend to show it gets better

Not here baby not here . Still shame and danger in middle east 🏳️‍🌈❤️🏳️‍🌈 but i am still proud inside and out of me 😊👍

I´m so happy for him that he has such a great mum :)

I think one of the reasons why it's so difficult to talk to your parents about being gay is sometimes it's just as difficult to admit to come to terms with it yourself, especially if you've been brought up in an environment where being gay is seen as being wrong.

I’m one of the lucky people who didn’t experience anything bad when I’ve come out to friends and family and I feel so grateful for that

I was never bullied as a child for being gay. I’m 17 now and came out a year ago. I feel like I covered it up my whole life. I always made an effort to come off masculine and then when I came to secondary school I really put my head into books and hung out with the nerds. I think subconsciously I wanted to be made fun of for being a nerd rather than gay as inside I knew I didn’t really fit in with the super smart kids, it wasn’t really me so I didn’t care if I got made fun of for that but if I was taunted for being gay, that thought scared me as I knew it was who I truly was

In my teens I was bullied because of my complicated family situation and because of my mental health. So when I realized I was queer, I didn't come out for a long time. I also was so scared of not fitting in and not being "normal" that I pretended to be straight and dating boys. It's been a few years and I'm out now. But there are some things that are still hard for me. For example I struggle with using the words for gay and lesbian in my own language, german, because I associate something bad with it. I even struggle with the English word "lesbian" because it's so close to the German word "lesbisch". And I know this is weird, but growing up I've heard those words as insults, so it's hard for me using them. Even though I am a lesbian, so every time I come out to someone, I have to swallow down the bad feeling. On a more happy note, I have a super supportive mom and when we talked about me being scared of not being normal she just asked me what normal even was. She said, that she as a blind person wouldn't be considered as normal and that "normal" doesn't really exist.

Forever a huge role model for me. Growing up gay for me wasn't hard, as my parents were always accepting and I spent life until 17 closeted to everyone (now, only my parents and a few friends know), but it was different. It is challenging to grow up feeling different to everyone else around you and it can be scary to be alone in that process of figuring out who you really are. Having out and proud role models such as Olly, Hayley Kiyoko, Zolita, Ellen Page, Kristen Stewart, Clea Duvall and many more is so so vital to showing children hat the way they feel is felt by others as well and that they really aren't alone. I'll always be grateful to Olly for showing me this at such a young age. He is, truly awe inspiring.

Some of the comments on here are absolutely disgusting.

To all my LGBT+, I love you, you are not alone and I keep you in my prayers to be accepted someday 🙏❤️

seeing olly cry hurts me

I went to school in the nineties and early noughties. The bullying was horrible, especially when I started senior school in 2000. I refer to that time in my life as the Dark Ages. Looking back I was *INCREDIBLY* confused, very frightened and extremely lonely. The bullies said that being gay meant I was a paedophile and that I would die from AIDS. I wasn’t even entirely sure what the words gay, paedophile and AIDS meant back then. My parents had guessed I was gay but never mentioned it. They meant well but in hindsight I can see that they had the mentality of their 1970s youth where you just didn’t talk about homosexuality. I was bullied because I was different and as a result, none of the other kids at school wanted to be friends with me and subsequently put themselves in my line of fire. One of my saddest memories was coming into school and panicking because I’d been off sick one day the previous week and hadn’t got the homework assignment, so I had no homework to hand in and I was scared that I was going to get in trouble. A girl said to me: “why didn’t you just text someone in your class to find out what the assignment was?” I said: “because I don’t have anyone’s number”. And she replied “you don’t have anyone’s number??!?” I didn’t realise that the other kids all had each other’s phone numbers. I didn’t have anyone’s because I had no friends - but that was normal for me. It never even occurred to me that the other kids all had each other’s numbers. I was never invited to birthday parties or sleepovers, whenever we had to pair up for projects I was always the last person left and the teacher had to pair me up with someone because no-one wanted to work with me. Being an LGBT kid is so hard and so lonely.

This made me cry sm like wow- this is actually so relatable and just like thank you so much for making this and spreading the word

Olly is so warm, lovely and cute. I would be so proud if he was my younger brother.

I love years and years and I love olly. Not only is their music great but so are they as people and this has shown me even more how much they deserve all the support they get off their music, honestly would love to meet them because they seem like such genuine people

I’ve just seen this for the first time... it was on TV tonight in Hong Kong where I live. As the uncle to my transgender niece, a lot of things discussed were very relevant and poignant. Everyone deserves to live a happy life. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for this so much. I'm from a small hick town in South Wisconsin. I grew up there my entire life. I never really had the chance to meet another gay person my age. When high school started, I got to watch all my friends have relationships. I never got to have that, though.

Thank you so much for sharing this Olly. Hope you are getting all the support you need. Young LGBTQ folks need affirmation from their families and communities.

I was bullied 9-15 amazing your mum new and so accepting, welcomes you back

Nothing wrong with being gay I’m not gay myself but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it!

What a beautiful relationship he and his dear mom have together . Proud of him ✊🏼

Olly’s music is amazing and I love the live shows him and band put on. So much positive energy and so much raw honesty. Mad props!!!!

Awwww this is very inspiring 😊😊😊 thanks for sharing!

Yeee I love this little gay man ... Being gay is a constant struggle, I experienced depression myself, it's very hard.

I've come out as gay myself and when I moved school some friends from my old school started saying homophobic shit behind my back about me. But fortunately most of the friends and family I've talked to about my sexuality they are supporting me. And I really hope that other gay/bi people are getting support by their loved ones. Listen, you're not alone and never alone, we are all here for you ❤🌈🏳️‍🌈

To see him crying is so hard 😭❤️

Firstly let me say Olly is an amazing singer and such an amazing example of a proud man living authentically. secondly I agree 100% We do all grow up in a straight world and no matter how accepting people are around you we grow up feeling wrong and damaged. I agree that there is no one who is gay/lesbian/bi/trans etc. who isn't damaged in some way, but also we are all survivers, even those we have lost. Thank you Olly for your bravery and honesty!!!! you have expressed exactly how I feel.

Really great & moving documentary! 💙

We must not confuse having pride with oneself and who you are with the reality that some folks make it difficult to exist in the world.

Honestly came out last year as bi and I have some struggles through this year but honestly after discovering Olly's music and saw him in its a sin, he's been such an inspiration for me to be happy for who I am 💜

You’re the most amazing person nothing to hide feel proud of yourself. Being who you’re is nothing wrong was hard year ago but now people like speaking up help others like you. Be just you. Paulina she’s your number one fan ❤

Thank you so much for talking about this subject Olly! You said it perfectly about how it feels growing up gay/the LGBTQ experience. I literally felt sick with you as you headed back home/all the feels thinking about the past. Plus, it just really means a great deal/the world/got me in tears/100% relate/connect to this!!! You are an amazing, multi talented, awesome human being/beautiful person, and just inspiring/giving me hope/feeling not alone/understood! Thank for being you and everything that you do! Love ya!

Even living in a "liberal" city like NYC, I have to deal with #homophobia & #transphobia, all the time on top of my other oppressions. People stare at me in the streets, men don't want to sit next to me or give me dirty looks, people talk behind my back, and make fun of me and call me names. At times I feel pressured to conform for other people to accept me, but I will never be seen as normal, so I stopped pleasing everyone, and continued to be myself openly, and accept a select few into my inner circle who are kind and worthy of being my friends.

love you olly!!!!!! you’re so strong and inspiring!!!! ❤️💝🌸🌷

He is a nice person and kind I wish the best

And I’m a lesbian and I’m not afraid to show myself to the world....I dated 2 girls who soon broke my heart after a few weeks. I am not searching for love, but instead let love find me. You are not alone you don’t find much girls who like girls or boys who like boys, but just so you know, there used to be a lot of lesbians in my school, but they came down after Christmas..that was when I got to date my second time and after a few weeks, she broke my heart from my first ex..so don’t worry, your not alone.

Ritchie!!! I ADORE YOU!! Olly Alexander is sensational, just an awesome singer and so cute x

Erase Hate, please.

If loved this lad since day ,your music is beautiful g 🙌🙌

This is literally the real life "I'm the only gay in the village" lmao

people have trillions of trait and things that make people who they are. Their personality, skin colour, everything. Why is being LGBT any different to those other things? People treat me differently, not only to insult me for being gay but just asking things like when did you first find out you are gay or what are my gay experiences. I get you may be curious but my point is that I don't get asked these kinds of questions because of my hair colour or for being funny ect. Being LGBT is no different, we're born like this, can't change it and for some reason it's treated as something that decides what kind of person I am. I'm happy that things are getting better but homophobia will never go away and most people will never treat LGBT people the same as others and it sucks.

You are amazing! Such a positive role model.

His mom, his family, himself have to be proud because he is an amazing person and artist, able to give happiness and hope to others. He is a wonderful actor and musician and I really wish him all the best in his life and career.

Fantastic little video that packs a wallop of a message. Olly Alexander - thanks for just putting yourself out there - being vulnerable in front of a large audience of strangers. It takes guts - courage. And it is how things will get better for all LGBT people. Tell your story - be present - be truthful - be yourself. It is beyond liberating.

SO HAPPY Olly has now made it to the top, fills stadiums at his concerts, is rich and independent. I wonder what his former bullies would say to him if they had the courage to meet him. As a teacher here in Germany I always was very strict about bullies.

They put Gay and Straight in bold as if it's so different when they're both just sexualities. Interesting.

I just wanna give this man a hug frrr😭😭😭😭😭

Oh olly your such a talented singer sending 🫂 hugs

As a gay guy I’ve learnt that it’s not straight people who have had a negative impact on my life, it’s other gay guys. Rare to meet an actual decent one.

What is wrong with people, allowing their children to bully anyone is just terrible parenting

Why are we hated for loving.. i will never understand that... why do we get killed, bullied, assaulted, oppressed for LOVING.

I know what exactly you are talking about. I myself grew up in the straight world. I grew up in the premillennium time frame. my family didnt support it and today still does not. I am 45 yrs old and i broke by silence in 2016 to just a few family members. I am still in the closet to the rest. It is super hard and it hurts deep down.😢💖

What a totally beautiful human being Olly is...sweet soul...x

This is so good, I relate alot to olly and I want to thank him for sharing this ❣

I go through this with my mom where I am angry or have grief about something it stops because she gets defensive and then my job is make her feel better. I wish parents where half as bold in their support of a gay identity as they seem to be when it comes to those parents who accept or oidentify a kid as trans

Things are very good and normal in my life now but yes there has been times in my life where being gay negatively effected my life.

Anyway, Olly is sooo talented and his songs r amazing! You should be proud who you are

His story mirrors my own half a world away. Thanks for sharing Olly, my brother, you beautifull being, we are one more step closer to making the world more inclusive. Big hug to all the LGBTI folks on here.

i honestly feel and love Olly so much, sending love, and sending this to my friends 💖💖💖

This really helped me because I’m going through a really hard time with my mental health and I’m trans a lot off people don’t understand or dislike that I’m am and it making my anxiety and depression to be bad

i’m so proud of him❤️

What a pure soul 💛

I hope and keep fingers crossed that the interviewees featured here in 2017 went on to get all the support they needed and live better lives now in 2023. I kinda wonder what happened to them ☺️

*Oh, what? These? Oh no, these are not tears... someone was just cutting onions... uh... totally ain't lying.*

Olly you are a brave and beautiful soul, have to say though life doesn't really get any easier, not even with age, although it has its advantages of course. Your a beacon of light IMHO. 😊

Never let anyone get you down. Smile at negative vibes and be true to yourself. Although I'm not gay and I'm not a fan of it. I would never say anything negative to someone who is gay as they are the same as anyone else. We all have a heart and want to love and be loved. The world needs to stop judging everyone else and start looking at ourselves and our own flaws.

OMG I LOVE YEARS&YEARS SM

I feel so sorry for him and all the young people who had to go through this. This was my story and my painful life until my homosexuality gradually disappeared.

Is there somewhere to watch this in full from Ireland?

Speaking as a gay man myself who went through this kind of thing - it damages everyone. What is interesting is that some people are utterly crushed but others are hurt to a lesser extent. In my experience, that difference is almost always causes by one thing - family. The people who end up damaged the most are the ones who come from unhappy families. It's no surprise to me therefore to find out that Ollie's dad left the family when he was young. That will have caused another massive trauma that he probably hasn't got over. Those who come from happier families are given a kind of emotional bedrock that allows them to process the trauma of homophobia better and come out less damaged.

I do not cry YOU cry

This would've been a good interview in the 80s-90s but not so much in 2019. I feel like this is news that certain people love to hear these days.

I’m also a gay man who struggled with bulimia for a long time

This is so lovely of Olly to show his fans how he was treated as a young Gay child having to put up with name calling everyday that you are at school when all you want to do is learn. It is appalling that it’s became the norm now to treat people this way it’s causing so much damage and destruction to people’s health it’s not a joke it needs addressing sooner rather than later as it’s serious youngsters are frightened of coming out because they are being bullied so they are taking there own life’s it’s tragic. Please please do not feel you are alone you are not and do not feel ashamed it is ok. These people who preach hate and feel the need to name call and bully have issues themselves please think that what you say may have a long term effect on the other person. Sorry for my rambling. Let’s be kind and treat others as we would like to be treat ourselves. 👍🙏xx

Hear hear, Olly! What a sweet and beautiful soul.

What is the song they are playing at the start please?

I’ve loved years and years for ages, and I only found out about him being gay a few weeks ago and I don’t think any less of him. If I liked his music before hand there is no reason why I shouldn’t like after I found out he was gay. I doesn’t matter to me whether you’re gay or straight

I love Olly so much 💛

I'm proud of you baby, you have a lot of support behind you🌈💜 It's horrible that you've been made to feel this way and that you were bullied😔

same feeling when i come back home in Italy