"people often associate like homosexual with a sexual aspect and not like the love aspect"

I JUST came out this week to everyone...though most figured it already.

Thank you for sharing your stories and highlighting the fact that being gay is NOT ONLY ABOUT SEX!!! I wish the world would wrap its thick head around that. You guys are so beautiful and lovely! Much love from me! ♥️

I came out to my extended family during a zoom call in May and it went really well!❤️🏳️‍🌈

Clay’s dad is so sweet oh my god ❤️

Hi there , I feel so connected to Chris because my family is against gays they read the Bible 24/7 and watch videos on KZfaq of preaching around the world , and literally I used to pray to God that please ,when I wake up tomorrow let me be straight but it never happened and I felt ashamed being who I am😭😭 till watching thank u Chris so much you changed my life, now I believe I will tell my parents someday when I am big enough that my parents will take me seriously, cuz I am 15😜😜 thank u so much Chris and Clay . I love you both. Lots of love😘😘

I never miss a single video of your vlog, though this one was the most awaited one, so liberating at the same time. Look at you guys, both of you have achieved reality, didn't embrace fake showcasing. Life is given to us just once......once! Keep smiling Chris and Clay and remember to care and support each other as strong husbands.

19:00 i’m just gonna put this here so that if i’m ever feeling down or doubting things i can come look back on this

Hi Chris! I just want to say that I love you, I see you, and I support you. Having been a leader (show director) during your church years, I want to say that I hope I never made you feel anything but loved. I always saw and believed in your talent, I suspected your orientation even waaaay back then. I'm proud of the person who you have become. Please know that I love you and support you.

I came out to my parents earlier this year and it went really well. My mom of course cried, I didn’t, I thought I was going to because I cried when I told my college friends, but I didn’t and she accepted me. As for my dad, my mom told him and he didn’t question anything, he just told me “I love you” and that’s it, nothing more. I took me years and years to finally tell myself and then have the courage to come out. It wasn’t an easy journey, I’ve always known I was different at a very young age and I grew going to a catholic school for 10 or 11 years, however, they never said that homosexuality was wrong because they’ve never mentioned it, all they taught us was to love and spread kindness, that’s it. But the thing is, I grew up feeling insecure, anxious and not courageous, so it was tough, but of course I took some time and I’m very happy with who I am and I wouldn’t change it for anything or anyone. I’m very grateful to have such a loving family and I always sang and listened to music because music is what can heal anyone when going through hard times. I would constantly listen to Born this way, Firework, Break Free or any other lgbt anthems that could help me be strong and years later, I finally came out. Just remember that you were born that way and god made you who you are and that’s it. I’m a strong believer and I pray for better days and thankfully there are better days. When you spread kindness and love, good things happen because that’s all what god wants. He wants you to love yourself and spread love. Also, it’s important to find balance within yourself before you go out and help others, because if you want to be a positive influence towards others, you need to love yourself, be kind to yourself, be honest to yourself and surrender those insecurities. It’s not easy, but it’s always possible. Love both you so much, thank you for this video, hope you’re doing well and keep spreading positivity and kindness ❤️

My heart is breaking, Chris. Both you and your relationship with Clays warms my heart more than you can know. It makes me so happy to hear you talk about this so openly.

Thanks for sharing this! Chris and Tom, you’re both very loved :)

This was BEAUTIFUL!!! xox

This video has touched me and so many other people. Really great video. So happy you guys are educating us in your story and journey. This was definitely a highlight in my day!!😊

Thank you for sharing your stories and the journey that led you to where you are today. You are an inspiration, more than you know.

Thank you guys for sharing your stories ❤️ Clay, your family is so amazingly supportive! You're really lucky. We've never seen a happier coming out story ❤️ Chris, we're sorry for what you had to go through because of religion. We're happy your family eventually came to terms with things and supported you at your wedding ❤️

Thanks for your stories spreading the love and just being the wonderful people you are love and blessings always

Wow! What powerful & inspirational stories. I’m so happy you both have each other. You’re such an adorable couple. You can definitely see the love you have for each other, especially the hugs at the end. So cute.

Thank you for both of your stories, both very inspiring. And for the interesting, eye opening article ! 😊

“ ...you both seem like very good guys, and happy together too!” 👍🏻 - Anthony Aaron

Thank you so much for sharing your story ..really inspiring Love you guys as always💕💕💕

You guys are the best! Thank you for this. :)

So appreciate your stories!! Love you guys!!

Thank you for sharing something so personal. I know it must have been so difficult.

This was beautiful, thank you both for sharing your stories and the “welcome to the family” made me cry just a bit but like this was beautiful ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Thank you for sharing you fabulous souls

Thank you both for all of your wonderful and uplifting content. You two are amazing. Btw loved your hair cut videos always laugh at those!

This video is so important, impactful, and full of emotions. Thank you both for you honesty and also education. Coming out is different for every person and hearing stories like both of yours can help others, well beyond our understanding. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!

You two are such strong young men! Thanks so much for sharing! Admire you both!

Both of your stories were so helpful to hear. As someone who is trying to figure out who they are their place in the community, it is great to hear different stories and just to know that people are out there who care and love you just the way you are.

This video will help so many people. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Love your smiles❤😊..... Keep smiling and glowing🌟

OMG....Loved this~! You guys are the greatest. Big Hugs guys~!

Love this story, I had such a similar experience to Chris, but the South African deep south. Wonderful story guys

I was outed over a tweet post. You guys are an inspiration ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank y’all for this! So inspiring to hear an easy coming out story, and a messy story. Wherever you are on your coming out journey, welcome.

yall are amazing !! and very brave for sharing your stories . its not easy to be vulnerable in front of everyone lol but yall did amazing!! one thing i have learned is i am not obligated to come out to anyone unless i choose to or it comes up in a conversation lol other than that i just keep to myself and live my life not worrying about having to come out to anyone! and i think everyone should be free to love who they love cause we only get to live life once !! and this world really does need more love

Thanks for sharing this you guys are so sweet and adorable ♥️ you are such an inspiration to so many people 💙 Thanks for sharing your lives with us ❤️🤠

Love your vids man

This is fantastic because of how authentic both of you are. I can't wait to see both of you back on stage (hopefully sooner rather than later!) My wife's first Broadway stage door experience was with Chris at Book of Mormon and she still talks about how kind and awesome you were.

Thank you.

love you two and your honesty thanks.

Love you guys- thank you for sharing these intimate stories- this is such important work. Chris, you made me cry! I am so grateful that my children revere and look up to you both as role models. I could not have hand picked 2 better people for them to admire

I really enjoyed watching your coming out stories, thank you so much for sharing it. I came out to my family last year on my 30th birthday, it took years to tell them I was gay since forever and I felt I couldn't hide it anymore and I just did, I expressed my feelings and who I really am. And I'm really grateful they accepted me as who I am. Family is family, maybe some won't be able to understand at first, but eventually they will be. Being gay doesn't change anything, I'm still being the same person and always will be.

Next year will be 10 years since I came out, hard to believe...thank so much for sharing your stories!!

You guys are awesome!!

Thank you for sharing your stories and opening a part of your lives with us. You may never know but I am 100% sure you have touch someone's life and given them strength and courage to face whatever comes they're way. I wish I had role models as yourselves to show me that I didn't have to hide who I really was all those years.

Yay clay!!! I loved watching this!! Im so proud and happy for you!! -Dimitra

Thank you for sharing your stories, clay I’m happy that your experience was one of acceptance & love, Chris I’m so sorry you had to go through what you did, but I’m happy that your parents were open enough to learn & were at your wedding. Continue smiling boys 😊 much love & support from MN ❤️❤️

Having grown up in the Catholic Church, and being quite involved in music ministry, I relate to your story quite a bit, Chris. There was so much questioning, a lot of guilt, and “what is wrong with me.” Thank you for being your authentic self, for sharing your story, and inspiring others. I hope others can see just how happy you are, and how there is nothing wrong with being gay. Thank you for all of your videos!

Great video very emotional in parts I enjoy all your videos take care ❤️❤️

Beautifully done. Your vlog will help so many young people. I’m a proud Mom of a gay son who is amazing young man. I am hopeful if he was asked to tell his story it would be a positive one. Thanks again for sharing.

I'm crying watching this video, I know I've watched it several times before. Clay you are such a kind loving person no wonder Chris loves you so much. As you said Chris, when people say things like when you decided to be gay. No one decides, you are born that way! Thank you both for sharing your story and showing us what true love really is. ❤

OUTSTANDING.

Thank you both for sharing each's coming out stories. It is the stories through the power of the internet and social media that truly create such a connectedness. Coming out 8 months ago, it is one less secret I am holding within me and don't have to be bogged down. I came out to my best friend, before coming out to all my friends on social media, in telling him I am attracted to guys. He said he always knew, which surprised me. But also the secret I was holding for a while immediately went out of the window. So some things just worked out.

Good for you Clay to have such a supportive family, Chris I just came out at 37, my experience was more along the line with your story, my Mom was very supportive. It's so sweet the two of you have each other.

A great vid on coming out, you brave, awesome couple 😍

Such a great story about you guys we have so many different stories about coming out or never coming out all love stories are different but the majority of our stories are so hard to do congratulations on your story we have so to keep making this possible

Chris & Clay - I'm so happy you found each other and so happy you've found happiness. I relate to Chris' story as I grew up in the South and in a very conservative religious environment. After I was outed (and left my church job), I struggled for many, many years to reconcile my faith with who I am. Know that God loves you both more than you can ever imagine! He is for you, not against you. He is with you. Thank you for sharing your stories. I hope your mesage makes it easier for many others who feel trapped and alone. They are not. Blessings to you both!

Listening to your stories brought a tear to my eye. Everyone’s story is unique, but feeling unsure and scared is almost always how it begins. Instead of my coming out story, I’ve thought many times when I knew something was “different”. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. The first time I acted out on my feelings I was about 4 years old. My folks and I went on vacation, driving to Atlantic City from our home in Michigan. I have no siblings, so I was riding solo on the backseat. What I did on the backseat for some reason, I knew my folks wouldn’t like too much. I don’t know why, but using a brown crayon, I carefully drew chest hair on my G.I. Joe. After I realized what I’d done, I quickly dressed Joe in his fatigues again. Don’t laugh too hard, because the next event left my mother with a shocked look on her face I’ll always remember. My family was Catholic, so when I was in the 2nd grade, I attended catechism classes after school. One after noon, the class was sent home with an envelope to give our parents. In it was a questionnaire I was supposed to give answers to. Since my dad worked evenings, my mom and I sat down for the “Catholic Interview”. I can’t recall what the other questions were until we got to “the one”. “What kind of family do you want when you grow up?”. I started squirming around, and giggling. My mom asked the question again. I told her she wasn’t going to like my answer. She said there was only one answer, and it was mine to give. I told her she was going to be mad, “how can I be mad?”. Then the answer came out of my mouth. I said I wanted a family just like on the t.v. show “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”. For those who don’t remember it, Google it. I told her, I wanted an apartment, a son, and a maid............ just like on the show. She looked at me and asked “Well, where’s your wife?”. I told her, she’s dead, just like on the show. That went over well. She scribbled something on the paper, I still don’t know what. And that was that. Until in 1982 when my folks forced me to come out, and told me i had 30 minutes to pack what I wanted, leave my house and car keys on the table, and GET OUT! Dramatic huh? What happened after was even more dramatic, but my folks finally came around, and took my partner and I on a cruise for our 10th anniversary. My folks are both gone now. When we sold their house, I used a portion of the selling price to give a donation to “Lost and Found Youth”. A shelter for gay teens who have been thrown out of their homes. My husband and I are still together, next month we celebrate our 32nd anniversary. I never got the apartment, the son, or the maid, but that’s o.k. I did pretty well.

Loved this!❤️ I came out to my family last year when I was 16 and can relate to you, Chris! I just hope that one day my family will be more accepting. Thank you for both opening up and sharing and inspiring so many people!🏳️‍🌈❤️

Thank you so much for sharing your stories! I think we all can relate in one way or another to both of you... Y'all are such an encouragement and inspiration to so many people, especially GLBTQ folk

I am so very proud of you both I appreciate your stories so much👍💙💙💙🙂

This was one of the best videos I've seen this year. There's something about your stories that's kinda relatable to me, who started coming out quite recently to some of my friends and fewer members of my family. Like Clay says, there's a thrill and happiness I associate to proudly saying that I'm gay. Also, I really need to thank the inclusive environment I've been surrounded by (my friends in India and Canada) which has surely made it easy. Also, you guys are an inspiration. Loads of love😘😘

Thanks a lot Chris and Clay for testimony... so great to hear your stories. I am very close to Chris, because I had the same trouble with my faith and all the brothers and sisters helping me not to go to hell. So happy to see you with the joy of life without loosing your faith. Me too and thank you so much for talking about it in public! God bless you both and gives you a lot of possibilities to be a good example for more young people, especially Christians. Hugs and kisses 😘 from Germany 🇩🇪 Andy

G’day from Down Under. I am still working my way through your videos and have just watched this one in awe. The difference between your stories couldn’t be more opposite. Clay’s family’s reaction is how it should be and Chris’s story was so upsetting that I couldn’t hold back my tears. I am not gay but have really good friends who are and they are a big part of my life, who are there for me and who I love. It is harder for me to accept that I have family members who I am estranged from. There is a saying “Friends are the family you choose” which says it all. Thank you for sharing your very personal stories with us and keep spreading the joy. Lots of love 😘💕🥰🇦🇺.

Thanks for being so INSPIRATIONAL & ADORABLE 💞💞💕😉🙏♥️

Even though I am straight... inspiring story 😍😍. You guys are a wonderful couple.

Thank you for sharing your story very inspiring. . I am catholic and know how difficult religiin can be. I don't agree with alot and kind of walked away but I do believe in praying. I am straight but I do believe in what you said be who you are and believe in yourself. It has taken me a long time to get to a place where I feel good. Was not in the best marriage, and very sad when he passed away when my daughter was 6 and I do miss him, but a day never goes buy how thankful I am for my daughter. Thanks for being a great couple with lots of happiness and enerfy.

Forgive me to keep coming back but I love your channel, can actually feel myself. Last night after so many years for peace of mind to work through the healing process in hopes a guy I've been talking to could date...finally replied to who bullied me in high school when I wanted to live openly. Even if they don't read the message nor watching the video I sent them...least I finally stood up for myself.

This video is incredibly inspiring to me! I came out 2 years ago at age 58 after being married (to a woman) for 26 years and, raising 2 kids to adulthood. It hasn’t always been easy, but I haven’t felt this free in a while, being my authentic self. Thank you!

Thank you for telling your story. And dammit y’all had me in tears. But good ones. Love is love is love.

Love you both so much ❤️

I had not seen this video. Your stories are very different...but i'm so glad that you guys have a happy ending...and that you have each other. I have an 11-year-old daughter who told me that it was possible that she liked girls and she asked me if I was going to continue loving her and I said yes, that for me the most important thing is that she be happy. And I think that's what love is,about for a person to be happy, it doesn't matter who we love if we are happy. Thanks for sharing your story. Kisses from Uruguay.❤❤❤

To feel that your parents' feel like who you are is being wrong because of their faith is shattering my heart in a thousand pieces because it was what I was the most scared of when I came out. Your strength is immense

I just have to say that those shirts are awesome.

Wonderful video and message. My husband and I met in 1994. I had come out to my mother shortly before that. It seemed okay until I called to let her know that we'd moved in together and I had a new phone #. I had no contact with any of my family for many years after that. When my parents died, I found that my siblings were wonderful. In the meantime, I found another family, my husband's father, mother, step-mother, siblings and spouses, and our friends . All, including my siblings and spouses, were at our wedding in 2015, after it became legal here. Again, you guys are wonderful...Thanks for the shout out to the Trevor Project!

Ya so cute together. 💓 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 Love is love!

You and I went to church together back in the day. When I came out im 2003 it went almost exactly the way you described, down to the same details like mom commenting that her own dad dying wasn't as painful. For many years after that, I would occasionally worry about you and hoped things had turned out okay. I'm proud of you for making it to the other side and for having such obvious care and compassion for your family. That shows a lot of character.

Hi. Guys. Loved it. Very nice. Guys. Thanks. For. Sharing. Your special coming out. Moments.. Both of you are a very lovely couple 😍😍😍😍😍

love you both so muchhh ❤️

Thank you so much for being so confident and vulnerable to share your stories. I was the first person one of my foster kid clients came out to and the only person other than her friends that accepted her and encouraged her to be strong and confident in who she is and who she loves. It’s so hard to find someone in the world that we love so it should be celebrated. Since I work with foster youth who already have difficulties attaching and building trusting relationships, is there any advice you would give us as providers to help them to feel loved and supported? I would love to share your advice with my teams. In the words of the book The Help...You are beautiful, you are kind, you are smart.

Even though I’m not apart of the LGBTQ+ community, I care so much about people like you and it is so inspiring that you are able to tell people how you came out and being in a religious community is not easy and I feel on behalf of everyone be apart of this struggle or not we all thank you for your bravery and enthusiasm to inspire those like yourself in such a true way x

Just hearing that you went through conversion therapy because you thought you were broken makes me so heartbroken. Thanks for sharing, wonderful Chris

You two are great souls🌈❤️

Clay and Chris, thank you both for sharing your personal accounts about "coming out". And remember Chris, when God answers a prayer it isn't always what you ask for or what you want but He gives you what you need. He gave you Clay.

Clay!! I appreciate your family who easily accept you as a gay. You are so lucky and you are sooooo lucky that you have get your beautiful partner Chris. God bless you.🙏🙏

I came out at Christmas Time and all of my family were so awesome about and some had suspected it already. It is indeed a scary journey coming out. Guy's Your stories are so moving and beautiful and I love how you both feel proud of who you are. Being who you want to be is so important in this crazy world 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

I actually came out a few months ago but because of COVID I wasnt able to see my friends. So about 3 days ago I decided to come out as Bisexual to my friends and I was so overwhelmed with the amount of love I was given and it's all owed to you guys. You guys gave me the courage to tell my parents and my friends simply because how happy you make each other and I wanted to be happy like that so it made me feel better about telling my family

Love you Guys 😭❤️❤️

Bravo, gentlemen! Thank you for sharing your stories. If you want a church home, there are denominations and congregations that welcome and embrace us as we are. I've been an openly gay member and ordained deacon in a United Church of Christ congregation for many years.

IT WAS GREAT!!

Wonderful. I think you’ll appreciate the poem Love After Love by Derek Walcott. Btw it was in 1946 that the word homosexual was first used in a Bible translation.

Thank you both for sharing your stories. I hate the fact that in the 21st century people still have to "come out". Love is love and all anyone wants is to find their special someone...certainly seems as though you both found yours. ❤

I knew I liked guys from my mid teens, but I didn't come out until university when I started dating one of my lecturers (not as creepy as it sounds, I didn't go to uni until long after H.S so he wasn't that much older than me). I worked with a lot of people who attended the same campus so I knew they would figure it out pretty quickly they'd tell people including my family so I had to do it pretty soon. I had a feeling they'd be ok because my whole family accepted a cousin who came out years earlier, but there's always the year "They (immediate family" will react different because it's 'you' not a cousin we never see). Most already knew, mum was blindsided. She cried, I cried, next few days we didn't speak - because we didn't know what to say. But eventually we had a talk, and since then it's been fantastic. Our talk was like the "exhale" scene from "Love, Simon" which is why I can't watch that scene without crying. Sorry about the essay long comment.

True love is true love. Simple as that. 💕

Thank you Chris - your story so reminded me of Adams experience (Adam&Bernardo) and the hell he is still going thru (parents now fully accepting) and Clays dad willing to learn 'all things gay' and then talk about it... Hmmm (story time there me thinks)... not sure I'd want to discuss our gay stuff with my dad ;o) super parents - so I was correct (past post) that "pretty sure your mum knew" - mums know! exp when religion hasn't been involved... great video. Thank you.

I love this video. ❤️ I'd already come to terms with being gay when I was maybe 17. Now I'm 23. I came out to my parents back when I was 19, and like Chris said, you kinda know how your parents will react when you've been with them almost all your life then. They didn't take it well, it was agonising, and they believed that after a couple years I'd be "normal" again. It's been almost 4 years, but this is the part that sucks: They seemed to have forgotten that conversation I had them, and I'm apparently their "normal" son who never came out. I don't know if I'll ever find the guts to bring it up again.

Not sure how I knew, but I had a gut feeling even before hitting "Play" that Clay would have the loving, supportive experience and Chris did not. I never knew this was his only same-sex relationship. So glad it's worked out for you both, and so glad you found one another at the time you did (as if I didn't have any more reason to love your relationship 😊💖). What amazing journeys you've had, both in terms of navigating your family dynamics and learning to embrace your authentic selves. As an LGBTQIA+ ally, I hope those who are struggling in silence can, much as Chris did, find the strength to love themselves and know they're not a disappointment or anything lesser just because of how they identify and what feels right to them. Thank you both for putting your story out there, hopefully this will impact someone who needs it. #loveisloveislove ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Hi Clay & Chris, I came across your channel because I was looking for ideas and inspiration to propose to my girlfriend (Now my fiancee). Not too long after that, I was browsing on KZfaq and saw, "If you like this channel, check out Christopher Rice-Thompson." To make a long story short I recognized the proposal video and I was going to subscribed to your channel, and I found out that I had already subscribed to your channel. I'll be honest, I don't usually comment on videos because I just like to watch them, but when I do it's because something relatable inspired me to do so. Hence this video.... I teared up when you guys told your story. I firmly believe that there's nothing more powerful than telling your story. Hearing both of your story I heard bits of mine. My coming out experience with my family was similar to Chris'. My mom was in a state of shock and my dad thought I was going through a "Phase." Years later I learned that my parents had no issues with me being gay, they had an issue of how I did it. Long story short, it was 16th Birthday party and with a bit of liquid courage I came out in the blackout and the next morning I found out what Too make a long story short, that liquid courage became a coping mechanism and many years of destructive behaviors. I learned to accept and am proud to be an openly gay human being and try to do the best I can to show up for my family and those important to me, So, thank you for being willing to share your coming out story because it is powerful and continue to spread hope to young kids who are still writing their coming out story. I appreciate you both and I look forward to watching more of your videos.