out loud & proud

As Pride month comes to a close, eos is reflecting on the power of belonging: the people who make us feel seen, the communities that lift us up, and the stories that keep us connected. We launched the Out Loud & Proud campaign in June to spotlight coming out and love stories from creators across LGBTQ+ identities and to make sure our support isn’t just seen but also felt through donations to a cause we love.  

We celebrated the power of belonging in partnership with The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization whose lifesaving work supports LGBTQ+ young people through crisis intervention, advocacy, and education. 

Learn more about The Trevor Project here.

amplifying LGBTQ+ creator stories

To spread the Pride Month inspiration and touch hearts everywhere, we tapped some of our favorite creators to share their stories and echo the importance of organizations like The Trevor Project in making LGBTQ+ youth feel seen and supported. 

Creator and eos lover Lucy Massam (@l_massam) got candid about her experience coming out to her loved ones. 

“When I came out as gay to my friends and family, I was very, very lucky. They embraced me with open arms, were so accepting. Didn’t try to convince me it was a phase.” 

Lucy was given the support and love that all deserve, but she knows that her positive coming out experience is, unfortunately, not so common. 

“Looking back, I realize what a gift that was. I’m very aware that so many young members of the LGBTQ+ community do not receive the same affirmation and support when they come out, and that is why the work that The Trevor Project does is so important.” 

Watch Lucy's story here.

Our bubbly bestie Juhm (@imjuhm) has an Out Loud & Proud story that’s anything but miniscule.  

“If you would have told me a year ago I’d be celebrating Pride with eos and The Trevor Project and being this out and proud online, I wouldn’t have believed you.” 

For Juhm, growing up West African in New York City made sharing his identity difficult. Coming out to his longtime acting coach Coumba gave him a sense of solidarity, safety, and understanding.  

“I needed someone to talk to and [Coumba] was there… He’s the first person I actually told about my sexuality. He created a safe space for me, a comfortable place for me. Coumba wasn’t just my acting coach, he was my mentor, someone who believed in me, someone who made me love myself.” 

Watch Juhm's story here.

Juhm experienced firsthand the need for support as a young LGBTQ+ person and left his followers with an important Pride Month call to action. 

“I encourage you to donate because my acting coach created safe space for me and The Trevor Project is also creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth. Do your big one! Happy Pride Month!” 

And our eos community did their big one.  

raising more than $170,000 for LGBTQ+ youth together

eos fans have big hearts, and we knew the Smooth Squad would show up and show out during Pride Month. We brought our community together in support of The Trevor Project through a nationwide donation matching campaign.  

The response was incredible. Thanks to the generosity of the community, combined with eos' matching commitment, we helped raise more than $170K for LGBTQ+ youth in just three days, with support coming from all 50 states. 

To everyone who donated, shared the campaign, or helped spread the word, thank you. Your generosity showed what's possible when a community comes together around a cause that matters.