Rethinking My Own True Acceptance: Willy Millard’s Journey to Authenticity

When Willy Millard came out at age 12, he hoped for freedom — but instead faced judgment, starting with the painful moment he overheard his parents asking school officials, “What did we do wrong?” On The Gaslit Truth Podcast, Willy opens up about how that early experience shaped his journey and how, years later, he discovered that even within the LGBTQ+ community, acceptance often comes with strings attached. From being pressured to adopt labels like “twink” or “bear” to navigating unspoken rules and expectations, Willy found himself trading one set of boxes for another.

Now a successful stylist and salon owner, Willy continues to challenge the way both the world and his own community define him. He pushes back against being labeled “the gay stylist,” insisting that his work should speak louder than his identity. Through raw honesty and lived experience, he invites listeners to question how we define authenticity — and reminds allies that true support doesn’t require understanding everything, just showing up and listening. This episode is a powerful call to let people be seen for who they are, not just who they’re expected to be.