Miles McKenna - Out! How to Be Your Authentic Self

MILES MCKENNA IS A QUEER AND TRANS ACTIVIST. HE TRANSITIONED ONLINE IN FRONT OF A MILLION PEOPLE. THIS IS HIS SURVIVAL GUIDE.

When Miles came out on his YouTube channel in 2017then transitioned online in 2018his aim was to help other teens navigate their identities and take charge of their own coming-out stories. From that experience comes Out!, the ultimate coming-out survival guide for anyone questioning or queer.

Out! covers questions big and small: How to stay safe when coming out in a toxic environment, what to do if you dont feel comfortable with your birth name, what style haircut best suits your identity, and how to find your chosen family. Miles offers readers coming-out conversation starters (Can I have the bathroom pass? Also, the correct pronouns?), a recipe for a very gay cake, and a guide to mastering the masculine haircut. Youll find all sorts of resources, pointers for being a queer ally, and Miless Ten Commandments (#5: You are valid in your identity, even if youre the only one who can define it).

If youre a person seeking answers, look no further! This book is for you. And remember: Whoever you are, you are worth fighting for.

FOREWORD

Dear Reader,

Being true to yourself and standing proudly in your identity is a gift not only to yourself but to everyone you meet. Shining as who you arebecause who you are is something to be celebratedhelps everyone you encounter feel free to do the same. Queer kids often hear about how it gets better; and while that may give them the strength to keep going, it leaves them with a daunting question to figure out on their own: How do I get through all of this now? In a world that often makes queer kids feel like outcasts, coming out can feel impossible, and loving all of your identity can seem like an act of political resistance. Im grateful that you get to navigate that world with Miles McKenna at your side.

For me, being gay felt like a secret Id never be able to tell. I dont remember having many out and proud celebrities to look up to, gay musicians who sang about what I was going through, or even any queer friends or family whom I could ask advice or learn from. When I was figuring it all out, I couldnt go on the Internet and search coming-out stories. But today, one search on YouTube will yield thousands of firsthand accounts, from almost every perspective under the queer umbrella. You can find bisexual boys talking about the stigma they face within the community, transgender women of color speaking out about the unique challenges they encounter in their everyday life, asexuals explaining how they realized their identity was valid, and gay couples sharing their adoption stories. The Internet has given a platform to so many queer people to finally tell their story in their own wayand has connected young queer people not only to their communities, but also to their history. One person I am honored to see lead the charge is Miles.

I first met Miles atof coursea Pride event. Before I finally went up to introduce myself, I watched as he met a few of his adoring fans. Miles is one of the brightest young creators on YouTube, one Ive been watchingcompletely in awefor a while. Hes got that X factor that every great creator has: a unique point of view, a fresh execution of creativity, a charm and a wit that draws you in, and a message that keeps you thinking. All of that in one person? Its a no-brainer that someone like that would find success in making YouTube videos.

But what set Miles apart for me was watching him connect with his viewers in person. He listened to them pouring their hearts out, some even breaking down in tears as they described how he helped them, or entertained them, or was there for them when they needed it most. He held their hands and looked them in the eyes with a sincerity that came from understanding exactly what they were going throughbecause hed been through it too. He not only listened, but he also heard. And he truly made them feel seen, understood, and validated. He did it over, and over, and over, because the line to meet him was endless. Giving that much of yourself can feel heavy, but Miles did it with grace and humility. In watching Miles exude this grace, I turned from a fan into a superfan.

When Miles and I finally did meet after he was done meeting all the young kids who looked up to him, one of the first things he told me was that I had helped make his own coming-out journey easier, and that he wanted to do the same for kids like himothers who are questioning their identities and wondering how to gather the courage to tell the people they love. I reassured him that he was already doing exactly that, and he was the perfect person to carry out that mission.

Miles is a beacon of hope for so many young queer people, and Im grateful for the amazing stuff he makes on the Internet. His videos have garnered millions of views around the world, and just by sharing his truth, he is literally changing the world. Not every creator takes this kind of opportunity seriously or understands the impact that they can have. While its nobodys obligation to create videos for social good, I believe its a missed opportunity when you dont use your platform to help those who look up to you. Watching Miles evolve over the years into one of the best creators on YouTube makes me feel like the future is in good hands, and that the queer kids today have someone who is on their side and ready to help. When I first found out Miles was going a step further and writing this book, I couldnt wait to read it and share it with anyone and everyone. A guide like this will save livesplain and simple.