The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: She's Worried About Coming Out At Her High School Reunion
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This special vault episode centers around Melissa Carter, a longtime Bert Show team member, as she shares her deeply personal concerns about coming out as gay at her 20-year high school reunion in Columbia, Tennessee. Despite being publicly out for over a decade, she reveals the unique anxieties of returning to the roots of her identity and confronting old insecurities. The Bert Show team—Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and contributors—provides heartfelt and humorous support, exploring themes of authenticity, acceptance, and the lingering shadows of high school judgment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Melissa’s Journey to the Reunion (01:05–05:12)

• Melissa explains that as her class president, she’s responsible for helping organize the 20th reunion and begins reconnecting with old classmates.
• Despite being openly gay for 13 years on Atlanta radio, she admits feeling nervous about returning to her hometown, where she has never officially come out to many of her former classmates.
  • Quote: "The idea of my 20th high school reunion was really nerve wracking because I thought, you know what, I'm not out to these people...one of the reasons I left Tennessee was because I'm gay." (Melissa, 01:31)
• She reflects on attending her 10-year reunion before she was out or dating anyone and how different things feel now that she has a girlfriend she wants to bring.

2. Coming Out—Even After Coming Out (03:50–07:31)

• Melissa discusses how coming out is not a one-time event; it recurs in new contexts for LGBTQ+ people.

  • Quote: "Being gay is there's always coming out somewhere in your life. I've been out on the radio for 13 years...but the idea of my 20th high school reunion was really nerve wracking." (Melissa, 01:21)

• She writes a blog about her feelings, which is read by Garland, her class vice president.

  • Garland acknowledges her blog, and Melissa decides to joke in her reply about whether her “kind” will be welcome at the reunion.

• Melissa describes the anxiety of waiting for Garland's response—a moment laced with vulnerability and a desire for acceptance.

  • Quote: “I got very nervous. You went back to being 18 again, back to being 14 again...you just want to be accepted as an adult. You just want to be accepted.” (Melissa, 02:37)

3. Unconditional Support & Acceptance (05:12–07:31)

• Garland’s reply is overwhelmingly positive:
  • Quote: "If anything, you need to have a parade announcing your return. And if they say anything, I got your back." (Garland, as read by Melissa, 05:55)
• Deeply touched, Melissa shares he later wrote to her:
  • Quote: “There have been few times in my life in which I have shed tears outside of a birth or death, but today was one...I did not know that I was helping you find inner peace in your life’s journey, but I’m glad that I made a positive impact on you.” (Melissa quoting Garland, 06:16)
• Another classmate, Scott, a “military badass” once assumed to be conservative, also offers support:
  • Quote: "Go to the reunion and have fun. Be yourself and don’t let anyone stand in your way or get you down. If people don’t like it, tell them to F off. You know who you are and you have nothing to prove to anyone there.” (Scott, as read by Melissa, 07:08)

4. High School Insecurities Linger—For Everyone (07:31–09:34)

• Despite success and confidence, returning to a high school setting brings back old social anxieties and patterns. The group discusses how high school insecurities persist into adult life.
  • Quote: “Even at your 20-year high school reunion, as comfortable as I am with who I am...I do feel like I’m 16 or 18...the tactics of hiding and lying come back into place.” (Melissa, 07:32)
• They note that most people hide something at reunions, fearing judgment or rejection.
  • Quote: “I think everybody has something in their minds or in their hearts that they're hiding...and I think that's where the real high school mentality comes in.” (Melissa, 08:32)
• Bert observes:
  • Quote: “You never—people never evolve from the ninth grade...you're getting older, but you still have all those feelings and cliques and wanting to be accepted.” (Bert, 09:18)

5. Listener Connection & Shared Experience (09:34–10:57)

• Derek, a listener, calls in and shares a similar situation: he is also a gay former class president not yet out to his classmates with an upcoming reunion.
  • Quote: “You’re giving me a lot of hope right now. Honestly, I’m in a similar situation...and I really don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’m just happy to hear your story because you gave me a little bit more strength today.” (Derek, 09:44)
• Melissa acknowledges the importance of support—even just one friendly face can make all the difference.

6. Preparing for the Possibility of Hostility (10:57–12:23)

• The reality of possible resistance, stares, or rudeness is addressed honestly; Melissa notes she’s prepared for anything and will go regardless for her own sense of authenticity.
  • Quote: “I think the reason I’m going and being who I am is for me and not for anybody else. And that’s the difference in life—when you stop thinking about what other people are thinking and what you want to be and what you want to be able to say about your life when it’s over, then that’s what’s most important.” (Melissa, 11:55)

7. Humor and Hopeful Nostalgia (12:23–13:14)

• The team injects humor, referencing 80s teen movies and envisioning a John Cusack-movie-style reunion that ends in communal acceptance and celebration.
  • Quote (Joking): “And then John Cusack and you will be at the beginning of the Columbia pride parade.” (Show team, 12:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The idea of my 20th high school reunion was really nerve wracking because I thought, you know what, I'm not out to these people.” — Melissa (01:31)
• “You need to have a parade announcing your return. And if they say anything, I got your back.” — Garland, as read by Melissa (05:55)
• “I find the awkwardness more charming than you trying to, you know, put on that everything's perfect.” — Melissa (08:32)
• “You never—people never evolve from the ninth grade.” — Bert (09:18)
• “You gave me a little bit more strength today.” — Derek, listener (10:03)
• “I think the reason I’m going and being who I am is for me and not for anybody else.” — Melissa (11:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:05 – Melissa introduces her 20th high school reunion and her anxieties.
• 03:50 – Reflection on the recurring experience of coming out.
• 05:55 – Garland’s positive and affirming response.
• 07:08 – Scott’s email, support from unexpected allies.
• 07:32 – Melissa describes the return of high school insecurities.
• 09:44 – Listener Derek’s call and shared hope.
• 11:55 – Melissa on doing it for herself and not others.
• 12:59 – The show’s humorous, movie-style vision of reunion redemption.

Tone & Takeaway

The episode maintains The Bert Show’s trademark blend of authenticity, humor, and encouragement—even while exploring poignant, real-life challenges. It warmly affirms the courage required to live authentically, the universal desire for acceptance, and the fact that none of us are alone in our high school anxieties—even years later. The supportive listener call-in closes the segment on a note of hope, connection, and empowered self-acceptance.