Family is supposed to be your first source of love, support, and safety—a place where you can be yourself without fear of rejection. But for many, that’s not the reality. If your family turns away from you because of who you are, whether it’s your gender, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, or simply for being different, it can feel like you’re adrift in a world that was supposed to embrace you. The pain of being ignored, bullied, or rejected by the people who should love you most cuts deeply. It can leave you wondering where, or if, you truly belong.
This is where found family comes in. Found family is the group of people who see you for who you are and love you not in spite of it, but because of it. They’re the friends, like-minded individuals, and communities who share your experiences and embrace you unconditionally. They’re the ones who understand your struggles, offer comfort, and stand beside you through the hardest times.
For me, the Black Hearts Club (BHC) has become my found family. Life has been lonely and painful at times. I’ve faced years of bullying, and my family has never really been a source of comfort. Even as a child, my struggles went unnoticed, and as I grew older, the emotional distance only grew wider. To this day, they don’t show much care or interest in my life. Recently, my own cousin blocked me on Facebook without any explanation. And my mother, who should have been my first source of safety, has been the opposite—my first bully, the one whose words and actions hurt the most.
But the BHC, and especially Dom, gave me hope. They showed me a different way to view family. The community that surrounds Yungblud has been a source of connection and understanding. It’s a space where people like me, who have felt silenced and small, can finally feel seen and heard. It’s a family where love isn’t conditional, where no one judges your scars or your story.
And then there’s Dom. He is more than an artist; he’s the heart of this family. His music and message have brought countless people together, people who might have otherwise felt utterly alone. For me, Dom is family now. Come what may, I will always care for him and protect him. The love and connection he’s created in this world have saved lives—including mine.
Dom, if you ever see this, I hope you know that you’ve created something so much bigger than you might realize. You’ve given us a place to belong, a family to call our own, and a sense of hope in a world that can feel so dark. You are loved—deeply and unconditionally. The BHC isn’t just a fanbase; it’s a found family, and we’re here for you just as much as you’ve been here for us.
To anyone reading this who feels like they don’t belong: You do. Maybe not with the family you were born into, but with the family you find. There are people out there who will love you for exactly who you are, who will hold space for your struggles and celebrate your triumphs. Don’t give up hope. Your found family is waiting for you, just like I found mine.