When I Came Out

When I came out today, I told my conservative Muslim parents that I was gay. They were accepting, they said they still loved me, but they didn’t understand it. They didn’t understand what being gay was. Maybe I didn’t explain it well enough; maybe I did and their foreign upbringing limits their understanding of what being gay is. They think that I don’t need to tell people, and that I don’t need to find someone even when I’m older (I’m only 17). It hurts that they can’t fully accept this.

When I came out, I was thirteen and was telling my mom. I told her I thought I was asexual and she laughed and said it was a phase, and I was actually relieved because I was so afraid of not knowing who I was. Two years later, I have found it isn’t a phase… I will probably not come out again.

When I came out, which was 10 minutes ago, I had already told everyone but needed to tell my mom. I sent her a text basically saying, “Hey guess what, I’m a lesbian.” She told me she still loves me just as much as she did before. Now I’m out to everyone and couldn’t be happier.

When I came out to my cousin, at first he didn’t believe me. After 10 minutes, we were talking about cute girls and rainbows, so I would say it went alright. 🙂

When I came out to my friends (a group of 12 straight ‘masculine’ men) I expected the worst. Except I was wrong. Each of them were almost more excited than I was and embraced every bit of me (Male, 21).

When I came out to my friend’s dad, I was doing math homework and told him I couldn’t think straight. He asked if I had just come out of the math closet and I said, “More than just the math closet,” and that was it.

When I came out I wasn’t interested in romance, but I met a girl who I quickly became friends with. After a couple of months I confessed to her I was gay, which shocked me. I had no idea why I said it, especially when it hadn’t cross my mind before. A few more months later after we started dating and I realized I said it because I really wanted to date her!

When I came out, it was to one of my close friends, and I am so glad I did, because I can be myself around her. She helped me be more open about my sexuality, and how I can help our school. People have come out, and have been themselves ever since they talked about their sexuality with me, and I couldn’t be more honored. (14, Female, Bisexual)

When I came out to my parents, it was as if I told them I had terminal cancer and I had 6 months left to live. I’ve only seen my dad cry twice in my life; once when my grandpa died 20 years ago and once when I came out 4 years ago. I told my sister and she laughed and told her friends. I had an anxiety disorder for several months and felt like the world was a prison in which the only way out was death. Ultimately, the only person who truly loves you and supports you is yourself.

When I came out, I posted a picture on my Snapchat story saying, “I’m gay.” My brother told my mom, who talked to me the next morning. She said that it was just hormones and that it was probably temporary, although I’ve been feeling this way for years. Many people messaged me saying they were proud of me and that I was brave. I did this on a Saturday, and today is Sunday. I’m not scared for school tomorrow.