In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Lu shares her experience of realising she was attracted to women, finding comfort in LGBTQIA+ representation, and eventually coming out to her parents at around 16. She reflects on the uncertainty and fear she felt beforehand, and how her mother’s immediate warmth and willingness to learn helped create a safe and supportive environment.

Lu speaks openly about what genuine acceptance looks like, the importance of being listened to, and why respectful questions can help families better understand each other. She also explores the stereotypes and expectations placed on LGBTQIA+ people, particularly around marriage and having children, and why happiness and safety should matter more than following a traditional path.

Together with Ronish, the conversation explores how parents can support their children while still learning and making mistakes along the way. Lou offers an important message to parents: it’s okay to get things wrong, but when your child corrects you, listen and make the effort to get it right. Above all, she reminds parents that coming out does not change who their child is and that they are still the same person they have always loved.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Travis shareshis deeply personal experience of growing up gay in small rural communities, where he felt unable to openly talk about his sexuality or be fully himself. He reflects on recognising he was different from a young age, putting on a front, and identifying as bisexual as a way of finding a middle ground between who he was and who he felt he was expected to be.

Travis speaks openly about the impact of internalised homophobia on his mental health, the isolation he experienced, and the years spent battling with his identity. He shares how professional support, honest conversations and learning to challenge his own thinking helped him begin tosee himself differently, while acknowledging the lasting impact those struggles had on his wellbeing.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the importance of listening rather than reacting, giving young people the space and time they need, and supporting them even when parents are still learning themselves. Travis offers a powerful message to parents: you will get things wrong, and that's okay. What matters is being honest, learning from yourmistakes, and taking your child on that journey with you through love, patience and understanding.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Kirill shares his coming-out story, from first identifying as bisexual in Year 8 or 9 to eventually embracing his identity as a gay man. He reflects on why identifying as bi initially felt safer, the fear of how his family would react, and the relief and challenges that came when his sexuality was eventually brought into the open.

Kirill speaks honestly about the impact of bullying, derogatory language and stereotypes at school, as well as the anxiety surrounding sex and sexuality during a time when HIV/AIDS carried significant stigma. He shares how coming out affected his relationship with his mum, ultimately leading him to move out at 16, and how their relationship slowly evolved towards genuine acceptance and the ability to openly share his life and relationships.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the fears parents can experience when their child comes out, the importance of looking beyond stereotypes, and how advances such as PrEP have changed the experience for younger generations. Kirill offers a powerful message to parents: their child is still the same person, and genuine acceptance can strengthen rather than damage the relationship. Most importantly, he encourages parents not to let fear of getting it wrong stop them from showing up when their child needs them most.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Kiara sharesher journey of realising she was attracted to women from a young age, and theprocess of understanding and embracing her identity. She reflects on growing upwith little LGBTQIA+ representation, discovering herself through media andonline communities, and how her first same-sex relationship gave her theconfidence to openly identify as a lesbian.

Kiara speaks honestly about navigating school, friendshipsand the fear of being misunderstood, while also acknowledging how fortunate she has been to experience mostly supportive reactions. She shares how her family's acceptance evolved from quiet uncertainty to open pride, creating an environment where her identity became a natural and celebrated part of everyday life.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores theimportance of representation, visibility and normalising LGBTQIA+ identities within families and communities. Kiara also offers thoughtful advice to parents and those questioning their identity: take your time, keep communication open, and create spaces where people feel accepted for who they are without their identity becoming the only thing that defines them.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Dean shares his own journey of growing up feeling different, and the long process of understanding and accepting his sexuality while navigating family expectations and identity. He reflects on not fitting neatly into ideas of “boy” or “girl” from a young age, being singled out at school, and learning to mask parts of himself to avoid judgment.

Raised in a family with limited financial means, Dean describes developing a pattern of adapting across different parts of his life - at home, at work and with friends - carefully hiding the parts of himself he feared might be rejected. He speaks about trying to protect his family by keeping relationships secret, introducing his first boyfriend as a friend, and eventually being pushed into coming out after that relationship ended.

Dean reflects on coming out first to friends who responded with acceptance, and later to his family, where his younger sister became an important source of support. He also revisits a childhood moment overhearing his mother say she would feel like she had failed as a parent if one of her children were gay, which deeply shaped his decision to stay silent for years.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores identity, fear and the impact of living as different versions of yourself to feel safe, as well as the importance of creating spaces where people feel able to be honest about who they are earlier in life.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Ronish shareshis own journey of realising and accepting his sexuality, and the challenges of navigating family, culture and identity along the way. He reflects on recognising he was different from a young age, keeping early relationships secret, and living a "double life" between the version of himself he shared with friends and the one he brought home.

Raised in a Fijian Indian family, Ronish speaks openly aboutthe pressure of cultural expectations, the fear of disappointing those he loved, and the emotional process of coming out to his sisters, his mother and eventually his father. He shares how his mother's initial shock evolved intounconditional support and advocacy, while also acknowledging the ongoing complexity of a relationship marked by silence and unspoken feelings.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores thelife-changing impact of having even one supportive adult, the importance of open communication, and why parents do not need to have all the answers to show up well for their children. Ronish also offers practical advice for families navigating these conversations: lead with love, be willing to learn, and create space for honesty, mistakes and growth.

In the first episode of Through Their Eyes, host Ronish sits down with Leanne, a mum whose daughter came out as gay at 17. Lee shares how she’d always had an inkling about her daughter’s sexuality, why the coming-out moment felt calm and affirming rather than shocking, and how her biggest fears were never about who her daughter is, but about how the world might treat her.

Through honest reflections on casual homophobia, generational attitudes, and the painful decision to walk away from some friendships, Lee describes how she became a stronger, more vocal ally who will always choose her child first. She also talks about the lack of resources for parents of LGBTQIA+ kids, the role of supportive friends and teachers, and offers grounded, practical advice for any parent whose child has just come out: stay calm, listen, and lead with love.

Through Their Eyes is a heartfelt podcast sharing real stories from the LGBTQI community and their families. Created from one mother’s search to better understand and support her child, it goes beyond clinical advice to offer honest, human conversations about identity, love, belonging, and growth. It offers insight, empathy, and reassurance—helping listeners feel less alone and more connected, while turning uncertainty into understanding, one story at a time.

First episode launching July 1.