For heterosexual couples in the West, holding hands with a partner for the first time is a relationship milestone that often happens without much concern for what strangers might think. But for gay and queer couples, such a seemingly simple act can carry much more weight.

We asked our readers in the L.G.B.T.Q. community to tell us about the first time they held hands with a romantic partner in public, and what the moment meant to them.

Below are some of the responses we received, edited and condensed for clarity.

Being openly gay or queer is still not safe or accepted everywhere, so we gave our readers the option of being anonymous or omitting their last names.