In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, host Jessica Samuels sits down with Matteo Stewart to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by gay men. Matteo shares his lived experience navigating identity, community, and mental health—from coming out in the 1990s, to the ongoing effects of societal expectations, to finding belonging and resilience later in life.

Together, they unpack what it means to be “out to yourself,” the impact of code-switching, the intersection of trauma and identity, and how political and social climates continue to affect 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health today. Matteo’s honesty about his own journey—including his cancer diagnosis and how community has become his lifeline—offers a moving reminder of the healing power of connection and authenticity.

Key Themes

- Identity & Mental Health: Understanding the mental health impacts of being “out” versus “not out,” and the internal work of self-acceptance.

- Code-Switching & Survival: How changing behaviour to fit in affects emotional well-being, even for those long out of the closet.

- Community & Connection: Why safe spaces and supportive networks are critical for thriving, not just surviving.

- Trauma & Resilience: The lasting mental health effects of discrimination, loss, and societal stigma—and the ways gay men build strength and healing.

- Barriers to Health Care: The inequities gay men face in accessing medical and mental health supports, particularly outside major urban centres.

Resources Mentioned:

https://checkhimout.ca/
https://pflagcanada.ca/
https://gmsh.ca/
https://advocacy-canada.lgbt/

Takeaway:

Matteo reminds us that mental health and identity are deeply intertwined—and that thriving comes from being seen, heard, and supported for who we truly are. Building community, finding purpose, and showing up authentically are not only acts of courage, but acts of healing.

The A Way Forward Podcast: Conversations on Mental Health is proudly presented by Beem Credit Union.