Carter was 12 years old last year when he came out to his parents. 

He had just gotten back from summer camp, where he had a lot of time to think. He realized he just couldn’t keep the fact that he’s gay a secret anymore. 

Carter is in eighth grade now. He brought his mom Nicole Wagner to the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center. His mother learned some things she had never thought to ask Carter about before.

StoryCorps’ mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to share, record and preserve their stories. These excerpts, edited by WBEZ, present some of our favorites from current visits, as well as from previous trips.