Frank Vaca: My grandmother’s acceptance shaped my life

(The author is a local advocate for LGBTQ+ and disability rights.)

Years ago, I came out to my aunt when she asked if I was talking to a girlfriend or boyfriend on AOL. I chose honesty, and told her the truth. That truth quickly spread beyond what I was ready for. It wasn’t how I imagined coming out, but what followed shaped my life in unexpected ways.

When my grandmother found out, I braced for judgment. Instead, she gave me something rare and powerful: unconditional love. No hesitation. No shame. Just acceptance.

That moment still grounds me. It reminds me that love doesn’t need conditions and that our truths deserve to be spoken — even if the path is messy.

To anyone seeking the courage to come out: your story matters. And someone out there is ready to love you, fully and freely.