YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen Came Out As Gay And This Is A Really, Really Big Deal
10 June 2015, 12:26 | Updated: 8 May 2017, 17:09
"We all deserve our best chance".
She's a beauty guru, YouTube superstar and COVERGIRL Glambassador; and now, Ingrid Nilsen is about to become a major LGBT role model.
Posting a 20-minute vlog to her main channel missglamorazzi last night, Ingrid stunned the YouTube world when she came out as gay.
"There’s something that I want you to know. And that something is…I’m gay," admits Ingrid, before immediately breaking down in relief.
"It feels so good to say that... and I didn't bring tissues."
Ingrid shares her full story with her 3.3 million subscribers, from her earliest feelings to the constant suppression of her identity.
"We all deserve our best chance," she concludes. "And it’s time for me to give myself my best chance".
While many YouTubers have decided to use their platform to come out publicly, Ingrid's video may be one of the most important to date. The key thing about her vlog is that it's completely honest. She purposely has no adverts surrounding the video, there are no links to any products in her description (besides a few songs and quotes that helped her with her journey), and she isn't promoting a new book. There is no ulterior agenda for her coming out, beyond feeling the need to share the truth with her audience.
ok but Ingrid seemed so absolutely relieved to be making this video and being honest and fjsjjakaj I'm so emotional don't loOK at me byebyeb
— kate (@travelsivan) June 9, 2015
Some prolific LGBT YouTubers have previously faced criticism, after admitting to waiting until they hit a large enough subscriber milestone for their "Coming Out" video to make an impact. Even some straight creators have leapt on the "Coming Out" video trope to bait fans, only to open up about a heterosexual relationship. With a lack of respect for the severity of the issue for some people, Ingrid's honesty is something that the LGBT YouTube community is in dire need of.
Oh look another straight YouTuber made a not-actually-Coming-Out video HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no
— Alex Gabriel (@AlexGabriel) April 13, 2015
Every day, hundreds of thousands of teenage girls and young women tune into Ingrid's videos; some of whom may be struggling with their own identity. To have such an influential figure as Ingrid suddenly step out as gay is a huge leap forward; not only for representation within the beauty community, but for the encouragement that many of her viewers may need, in coming to terms with themselves.
@ingridnilsen Your video inspired me and gave me the courage to come out about my own sexuality. You're an angel, thank you Ingrid.
— Lisa (@BetterAngels22) June 10, 2015
@ingridnilsen To witness you be so honest and unapologetic about who you are gives me hope for my own journey...
— Lina de Legarreta (@LinaDeLegarreta) June 10, 2015
@ingridnilsen your video helped me come to terms with my own sexuality. You put words to everything I couldn't say <3 Thank you so much.
— Adam FitzHerbert (@adambastille) June 9, 2015
"I'm giving myself my best chance. And so should you."
Congrats to Ingrid, and congrats to YouTube's LGBT community for gaining such an awesome new member.
