It was hard...I forced myself to try and like girls

JOSH Mennie’s coming out story is a little more high-profile than others.

The then 22-year-old was suited and stood at a lectern at an SNP party conference, just weeks after telling loved ones. Thousands of Scots fell silent as a “terrified” Josh, now 27, came out to fellow SNP members and colleagues during an inspirational speech back in 2017.

Holding back the tears, Josh’s moving words garnered huge cheers and a rapturous applause. He said: “Talking about my sexuality on a stage at a party conference was the most terrifying thing I have ever done in my life.

“Working for the SNP, I felt like I was coming out over and over again, every time I met someone new.

“When I was asked to speak at the equalities session, I knew it would be a good opportunity to tell my story and I’m so glad I did.”

Josh prayed to God for 10 years “please make me fancy girls” as he struggled with feeling different.

Relentless homophobic bullying in primary school resulted in him being diagnosed with depression

and referred to a therapist aged 11. Josh continued to struggle with his identity as a teen.

He said: “Nobody was more unaccepting of my sexuality than me. I tried to force myself to like girls and would experiment with them but avoided serious relationships.

“I always told myself that my feelings were just a phase – but that phase was still going at 18. I felt scared and isolated as a teenager.’

Josh says a fear of coming out came from being conditioned to think homosexuality was something to be frowned upon.

He added: “I always remember Alan Carr on TV when I was younger.

“I thought he was great but family members would call him a ‘poof’.

“Those were the same words people would call me in the playground in school.

“Anytime something was referred to as ‘gay’, it was like a slur.

Josh accepted his own sexuality at the age of 20 but was still terrified to tell anyone.

After two-years of further inner torment, Josh’s cousin, Laura Adams, now 27, told him she was bi-sexual and he came out

He said: “Laura and I are like best friends, we’re the same age and tell one another everything, When Laura told me she was bi, I knew I could come out to her

too.”