The basketball coach John Wooden used to say: "Learning is what occurs after you know it all." 

A conversation--on all sides--must begin with :"I don't know it all, and I need to learn."

Truth comes from the stories, as you say. But if stories are heard only as anecdotes, not as truth, distrust remains. We can do better, but only if we don't assert we already know best.

We have much to learn--and UNlearn--about our "knowledge" of sexuality. Our hubris and attendant ignorance have ended too many conversations before they started. This goes for  mistreatment of heterosexuals like me as well.  Too many weaponize, overuse, and misuse the word "sin," as if they are experts in a field where they are not. 

God has given us gifts, and it seems cruel and ungrateful to demand we keep them unopened. We still live in a Church where ignorance, fear, suspicion,  threats, misogyny, puritanism, and punishment order us not to open the gifts. 

Be not afraid. To love fully. To ask experts. To know.