Main content

Is Anybody Out There? I feared rejection and found an ally

When ‘Ellen’ finally came out to her mother she found out that nothing was as it seemed and she carried another secret for decades. They never spoke of it again.

When she was growing up ‘Ellen’ kept the fact that she is gay a secret from her family. She feared rejection because of the homophobic views she heard expressed at home. Thirty years ago she finally came out to her mother and was amazed when her mother disclosed that she had had a long gay love affair with a close family friend before getting married. She swore Ellen to secrecy and they never spoke of it again. But Ellen could not get it out of her mind,.She wanted to pay tribute to the women who had been prevented from leading the life they wanted.

Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Erin Riley

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Available now

41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 Aug 2024 11:06GMT
  • Thu 15 Aug 2024 17:06GMT
  • Thu 15 Aug 2024 21:06GMT
  • Fri 16 Aug 2024 02:06GMT

Featured in...

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected