As we are deep in Pride Month and ahead of London Pride next month, we asked some famous faces from the city’s LGBTQ+ scene to tell us of their experience of living their lives as authentically as possible, today we caught up with Social Media Influencers Jake and Max
Can you name a moment when you first felt like you were living as your true self?
M: A moment that really stands out was a trip Jake and I took to Santorini. For the first time, I didn’t feel even slightly self-conscious about us being a couple in a new country. The owner of the apartment we stayed in was so friendly and welcoming that it actually took me a couple of days to realise it hadn’t even crossed my mind to worry about how we might be perceived. It was such a small thing on the surface, but for me it was a powerful shift — I was just living, fully and openly, without that extra layer of awareness I’d carried for so long.
J: For me, it wasn’t one specific moment but more of a period of time. The years immediately after I came out, I started to accept myself and let go of the idea that I had to fit into anyone else’s expectations.
Have there been times when you couldn’t be who you wished to be?
M: There are definitely times when I don’t fully feel like I can be who I want to be, especially when it comes to public affection. We don’t really do PDA, and while that’s partly just us, there have been moments (like when we’re in romantic settings, for example) where I’ve wanted to be more openly affectionate but naturally held back. It’s a reminder,I guess, that even small gestures can feel like a big deal depending on where you are.
J: Absolutely. For me, school was the biggest example. The fear of judgment, or being labelled, meant I kept a lot of myself hidden. I was constantly aware of how I acted or what I said, always trying to play it safe. Looking back, I realise how much of my personality I dimmed just to blend in.
Does London still feel like a place where anybody can be who they choose?
M: Honestly, I feel like London is starting to move backwards in a lot of ways. It used to feel like a place where people could be themselves, but with everything going on politically and socially, it’s becoming harder for people to just live openly without pushback. I have hope that it will turn around, though! There are so many incredible LGBTQIA+ spaces where people can show up as their true selves, and I really believe that as a community, we’ll keep pushing forward, like we always have.
J: The recent changes around trans rights are a clear sign of that shift. London always felt like a safe, inclusive space, but over the past few years, I’ve definitely noticed a change. It feels less welcoming than it used to, like we’re slowly moving away from the progress we’ve made, and that’s worrying.
What advice would you give to people struggling to live as their authentic selves?
M: Take the time to really figure out who you are. Know what you stand for, what you love, what you don’t. The better you know yourself, the more confident you’ll feel living authentically.
J: Surround yourself with people who make you feel like the same person you are when you’re alone. And remember, you’re never as alone as you might feel. There’s a whole community out there ready to support you, so lean into it whenever you can.
What does Pride feel like to you?
M: It’s having the confidence to walk into a room and be openly myself without overthinking it. For a long time, I felt like I had to hide or change parts of me, but Pride reminds me that I’m enough as I am.
J: Not having to shrink yourself to fit in. It’s also about knowing you’re part of a community that’s got your back no matter what
You can find Jake & Max on TikTok & Instagram:
@jakeandmax_
