World Women's Day Interview with Lisa

Could you please tell us briefly who you are and what motivates you to share your story?

I'm Lisa, 32 years old, from Esslingen near Stuttgart. I've been working as a Digital Art Director at PURELEI for three years. I want to share my story to inspire others and show them they're not alone. "Being different" can be scary, I know that myself. But being true to yourself is simply the best feeling in the world.

What aspects of your life and personality define you the most?

What defines me the most... I'm a strong and self-confident woman. I'm proud of that. In the past, I struggled a lot with myself and my mental health because I felt different in society. Today, I'm proud that I've achieved everything I wanted and that I'm finally the person I always wanted to be. Also, my love for animals defines me. My two dogs and my cat mean everything to me.

What does being a woman mean to you?

It means a lot to me. Society has many ideas about what makes a "real woman," but I think that's nonsense. A woman can be anything, but she doesn't have to be anything. Every woman is different, and that's a good thing. I love being a woman, and I don't care about societal norms. For me, women power is something truly special.

Can you tell us about a particularly positive experience you had during your coming-out and how it influenced your life?

I struggled with myself for years, and when I finally had the courage to admit to myself who or "what" I am, namely a lesbian, I was afraid of my family's reaction. Especially how my conservative grandparents would perceive it. But they totally surprised me by reacting very positively and even inviting my girlfriend to the next family gathering. That touched me deeply and showed me that they love and accept me as I am.

How important was the support of friends and family during your coming-out, and what advice would you give to others to create a supportive environment?

The support of friends and family was very important to me. I'm not someone who cares much about other people's opinions, but that doesn't apply to friends and family, of course. I would advise everyone to stay true to themselves and not to be afraid. There's no better feeling than standing 100% behind yourself and being yourself. But I understand very well if you're afraid of coming out. You don't have to come out if you don't want to. But if you do, you can also take someone as moral support. I did it, and it was the best decision of my life.

How has coming out affected your life, your self-acceptance, and any advice you would give to other women in similar situations?

Coming out enriched my life enormously and gave me a sense of liberation. It was an extreme relief to admit to myself who I am and that it's completely okay. I can only advise everyone: Be yourself and stand by it! Either people accept you as you are or they don't.

Have you experienced controversial reactions, and how do you deal with them? Do you have any tips for such situations?

So far, apart from odd looks on the street when a woman holds another woman's hand, I haven't had any bad experiences, luckily. I don't care about other people's opinions. It's my life, my happiness.

What role do you think the media presence of people sharing their coming-out stories plays?

I think it's important that coming-outs are present in the media, especially for young people who feel alone. It's important to show them that they're not alone. In general, I would wish for the future that society's acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community continues to grow and that every person is accepted for who they are.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

On the one hand, I find it sad that we still need an International Women's Day. Because that means we're still not at the point where we should have been long ago: the equality of all genders. On the other hand, it's important that there's this day for women to raise awareness of the injustices. I come from a family of many strong women. I was born and raised by one of them, she made me into the woman I am today. On International Women's Day, I want to honor all the strong women who have brought us so far in our emancipation. Because without them, we wouldn't be here today.