A Scottish songwriter says she kept a same-sex relationship secret for six years because she feared it would lead to problems.

Kim Carnie, a Gaelic singer of the year who has featured on film and computer game soundtracks, said it was a relief to finally come out with the full support of her family and friends.

This experience has contributed to the formation of a new international film: Kim Carnie Out Loud. This film tells the stories of people in the LGBTQ+ community who keep their sexuality hidden.

Before the UK premiere later in Glasgow, Carnie said: “The people we met were incredible and so vulnerable in the way they shared their stories with us.”

Carnie, who grew up in Oban and now lives in Glasgow, is the lead singer of the Scottish traditional music group Mànran and the folk collective Staran.

She was named Gaelic Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2021 Scots Trad Music Awards and has featured on soundtracks including Outlaw King and Netflix’s Black Mirror.

From the age of 16 to 22, she and her then-partner kept their relationship a secret from their friends and family.

Carnie, 30, said: “We both came from parts of the country that seem more traditional, I think.

“The Highlands and Islands have more traditional values, perhaps even a little more religious than the city.

“The fear was that friends and family would be lost if they found out.”

She added: “At that time I also developed internal homophobia and felt like no one would accept me for who I was. That was a real concern.”

Carnie eventually came clean to her family and close friends about her sexuality.

Her brother had come out earlier that year. She said: “Nobody thought anything of it.

“I couldn’t lie anymore. I didn’t care if people didn’t accept it.

“Even though I consciously chose to be in a relationship, it was a very lonely existence.”

Carnie said it was a relief to be able to tell those close to her, adding: “Everyone I was close to was completely okay, although there were a few tears.”

‘Small cupboard’

The idea for a film came about when Carnie was involved in developing projects for the BBC in Glasgow.

She spent a few weeks with Maureen MacLeod, a producer and director with a background in current affairs, who was looking for someone to collaborate with on a documentary.

Carnie said: “We started our working relationship, ironically, in a cupboard at the BBC.

“We sat in a cubicle for a few weeks and worked on art projects.”

MacLeod’s idea for a documentary evolved into Kim Carnie Out Loud.

Filming began in 2021 and wrapped last year. People from the US, Europe and other parts of the world will appear.

The film has already been shown at 18 international festivals and has won 26 awards.

The UK premiere will take place at Glasgow’s GFT, after which the film will go on to screen further, including at the Sae Change Festival in Tiree.

Carnie said there was a lot of joy in the film, but that some had also faced great challenges in their lives.

She said: “We spoke to a refugee who was tortured because of his sexuality.

“I know my own story is a privileged story because it is a safe place to be gay here, because the law protects you.

“I’ve also been on the other side of homophobia and had a certain appearance, but not with the people I surround myself with.”