Sophia Bush has found coming out to be "worth it"

She shared a message which read: "Pride is important because someone tonight still believes they're better off dead than being themselves.".

She then added her own comment that stated: "You are perfect. No matter how long it might take, you'll find your people. And they will help you find more and more of yourself. It's worth it. You're worth it."

Sophia discussed her new relationship in an emotional essay for America's Glamour magazine earlier this year, in which she told how she fell for Ashlyn while the ex-US Women's International Soccer Team plater was dealing with her split from her fellow footballer wife, 38-year-old Ali Krieger.

Sophia said about how their romance was sparked when they attended the same support group: "I didn't expect to find love in this support system. I don't know how else to say it other than: I didn't see it until I saw it.

"And I think it's very easy not to see something that's been in front of your face for a long time when you'd never looked at it as an option and you had never been looked at as an option."

Sophia added things soon "turned ugly" as the pair started to face allegations they had been unfaithful to their partners - which Ashlyn has strongly denied.

She said: "The ones who said I'd left my ex because I suddenly realised I wanted to be with women - my partners have known what I'm into for as long as I have (so that's not it, y'all, sorry!)

"The idea that I left my marriage based on some hysterical rendezvous - that, to be crystal-clear, never happened - rather than having taken over a year to do the most soul crushing work of my life?

"Rather than realising I had to be the most vulnerable I've ever been, on a public stage, despite being terrified to my core?"

Sophia and Ashlyn's relationship was first reported in October 2023, two months after the actress filed for divorce from businessman Grant Hughes.

The actress and ex-footballer - who has adopted children Sloane, three, and 21-month-old Ocean - made their first public appearance as a couple in March at Sir Elton John's annual Oscars party.