Hearing comfortable (and at times funny!) coming out stories is not common. Nor does the storytelling around adoption get the attention it deserves. So many people out there are both gay and adopted; why not talk about it? Dr. Gregory Clemons is a professor and scholar with expertise in Spanish language and literature. He earned his BA and MA in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his PhD from the University of Florida, where his dissertation focused on the vampire figure in Latin American narrative fiction. An advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility, Dr. Clemons co-founded the LGBTQ student group at the University of Florida and has shared his journey of coming out and fostering acceptance with his adoptive family.Adopted as a child in Milwaukee, Dr. Clemons reunited with his biological siblings after 45 years, forging meaningful connections that continue to grow. He lives in Chicago’s South Loop with his husband, where they enjoy running, reading, traveling, and exploring the city’s vibrant vegan scene. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx