Tyler Oakley on the 'game-changing' rise of queer YouTubers and the importance of being yourself

"Who YOU are is exactly that for you."
By Nicole Gallucci  on 
Tyler Oakley
YouTube star and activist Tyler Oakley. Credit: Mashable composite: Bob Al-Greene / Mashable and Rich Polk / Stringer / via Getty Images

Mashable celebrates Pride all year long and honors Pride Month in June by exploring and championing the modern LGBTQ world in all its glorious queerness — including the leaders, conversations, and spaces, both online and off, making up a community that embraces and continues to fight for the freedom to thrive as our most authentic selves.


Every day of Pride Month, Mashable will be sharing illuminating conversations with members of the LGBTQ community who are making history right now.


Tyler Oakley isn't tired of the internet yet.

It's been more than a decade since the 30-year-old created his YouTube channel — which now has nearly 7.5 million subscribers — and over the years he's made hundreds of videos, encouraging aspiring creators to share their own experiences online, too.

One of the first openly gay YouTubers to attract a major following, Oakley uses his platform to help inspire other members of LGBTQ community to embrace their true selves. He shares everything from makeup, dating, and life tips to insightful videos on the LGBTQ activists he admires; interviews with iconic change makers like Michelle Obama; and an annual series called Chosen Family, in which Oakley highlights "stories of queer resilience" throughout the month of June.

His achievements aren't contained to YouTube, either. He's also starred in a documentary called Snervous; written a memoir, Binge; and works as an activist alongside organizations like The Trevor Project.

In celebration of Pride Month, Mashable caught up with Oakley to chat about the early challenges he faced as an openly gay YouTuber, how the platform has changed over the years, and the work he's currently doing to support the LGBTQ community.

The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.

Mashable: What would you say your greatest challenge was as one of the first major openly gay YouTubers?

Tyler Oakley: Learning to feel comfortable in my skin, no matter what the world thought about that. On YouTube I was always out of the closet, and it was one of the first times I was subjected to people who didn't necessarily love me for me. It helped me really learn how to stand firm in my identity, and to help other queer creators flourish and feel supported.

Mashable: What are some ways you've seen the platform change over the years, and how did it feel to watch more and more members of the LGBTQ community make accounts and share personal videos?

TO: When I was growing up, queer kids didn't have YouTube where they could go online, search for coming-out stories in the privacy of their homes, and see themselves reflected back to feel validated and seen. Seeing so many LGBTQ+ creators join the community and share their own stories in their own ways — it's game-changing for young kids who are questioning. Representation matters, and the more stories that are told in authentic ways on YouTube, the more opportunities young people have to connect with those stories and feel less alone.

Mashable: Can you speak to the importance of safe, online spaces in the LGBTQ community?

TO: In a world where queer people can be arrested, killed, punished, or fired for being queer, safe spaces are vital. They're where you can go to feel connected to others in the community, and to find ways to cope with whatever the world may throw at you. Many young LGBTQ+ people don't have those safe spaces yet in their schools, churches, or homes. Being able to go online and feel less alone can be the thing that helps a queer person feel like they have somewhere they belong.

Mashable: What advice would you give to members of the LGBTQ community who might be struggling to feel accepted?

TO: Being uniquely me is the best thing that's ever happened to me — and the things that used to make me feel different are the things that help me now connect with this incredible, diverse, and vibrant community. Who YOU are is exactly that for you — unique, special, something to celebrate. Just because some people don't understand that does NOT make it not true.

Mashable: Tell me a bit about the work you do with The Trevor Project and why the organization is so impactful.

TO: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization for crisis and suicide prevention, specifically focusing on LGBTQ+ youth and the issues they uniquely face. They are a listening, empathic ear for queer kids who need someone to talk to. They're confidential, free, and available 24/7 via text, chat, or over the phone — meeting young queer kids in crisis where and when they need help most. I started as an intern with The Trevor Project back in college, and have since used my YouTube career to share their story, start fundraisers, and host red carpet gala events to raise awareness and support. They do the work and save lives — something we can all get behind.

Mashable: Are there any efforts you're currently involved in or that others are doing to support the LGBTQ community that you’d like to highlight?

TO: I'm super pumped to get back on the campaign trail with a few queer politicians this upcoming election season — to help register young people to vote and hopefully help qualified queer politicians get elected.

Mashable: What are some plans you have for the future?

TO: Keep having a blast while creating, continue to be a goof on the internet — while also doing some good every day.

Read more great Pride Month stories:

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Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.


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