When I came out I was 17 and living in a very strict religious household. I came out to my best friend from college who I had a massive crush on; turns out she felt the same way. I waited another year until I finished college and was at Uni before coming out to my family. Due to the strict religious nature of my upbringing I no longer talk with my family but am extremely happy with my now wife. (F/29/Lesbian)
Story #2510
When I came out I made a little jar with the bi colours. I later made a new jar featuring the aroace colours and since then have kept it in my room. I also should probably come out as nonbinary (I kinda have already but everyone keeps using she/her pronouns around me even though I use they/them) before my birthday so I’m not getting all these “to my amazing granddaughter” cards or something… (Non-binary/13/Aromantic asexual)
Story #2509
When I came out I came out in two phases: once as bisexual (which I tried really hard to be) and now as lesbian. After a sequence of multiple abusive relationships, I told my friend that my attempt with this new guy was my absolute last shot with men. Five years later we moved across the country together, lived together, and had a wonderful healthy relationship. Going to college, we agreed to have an open relationship because I knew I liked women more but didn’t know how much more until this summer — in fact, until this summer I was wondering if I was just asexual because the only qualm he’d ever had in the relationship was that I wasn’t very physically affectionate. I learned very quickly that I am indeed not ace and instead a lesbian, a fact that was really hard for me to acknowledge because of how healthy my relationship with him was but I’m happy that he is still my best friend and now has a girlfriend who can love him for all that he is. (F/21/Lesbian)
Story #2508
When I came out, it was on my Snapchat story: I wrote “Happy Pride Month” and drew a pride flag. I got a lot of people in the following week asking if I was in the Community. One person even told me they were “glad I was experimenting”. It was the first time I encountered biphobia and it stung (I didn’t even realize how much it affected me until later that night). I call myself gay a lot, and so people are constantly saying “But aren’t you bi?” or “But that’s for guys. You’re lesbian.” It’s annoying, but unfortunately, something I just have to deal with in straight spaces, which is why I’ve joined my school’s GSA and a queer discord server. (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #2507
When I came out all of my friends were either also part of the community or very supportive. My mom is pretty supportive, but I’m not sure my dad believes me. He hasn’t explicitly said it but I can tell he thinks it’s ‘just a phase’ and I’ll realize I’m actually straight and I don’t actually know myself. (Bisexual)
Story #2506
When I first came out, I was in 6th grade. It was to one of my closest friends. She hugged me and said she would always love me. I told more of my friends, and only one said he didn’t support me. I told my mom before I told my dad. I told one of my favorite teachers before my dad as well. I talk to her about the girls I like now, lol. My mom thought I was young, but now supports me. My dad said it was awesome. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2505
When I came out, I was a huge wreck, and I was about to go perform with a band and the singer was a girl I really liked. Right before I was about to go on, I started crying and I had a huge nosebleed, so my mum took me for a walk. There I confessed to her (through tears) that I was questioning and it wasn’t til today I realised the description of pansexual completely match what I feel. After like 2 years I have finally been able to come out to pretty much everyone I know and I’ve had nothing but love 🙂 (F/14/Pansexual)
Story #2504
When I came out, it was last year during summer school with a really close friend of mine. At the time I said I liked boy/girls and we had a great discussion and he was very understanding. It was also one my first times crying around another guy. It felt so healing. I had come out to a couple other people who took it well but that experience really gave me some internal confidence at least for a few months until other people around me started to make me feel like I have to go back to hiding myself. But also I don’t feel like I need to have a big coming out session, I just hope I find more people to come out to one on one. (M/17/Gay)
Story #2503
When I came out it was with my sister. She invited me over for dinner. I thought it was just going to be the two of us, but when I got there her friend Paul was there. So the thee of us sat down to eat and Paul sat right next to me. After dinner we had few drinks and I got my sister alone and asked her what was going on. Lori replied with “I thought you might like him.” I was so caught by surprise I said, “Yes, he is cute. And yes, Lori, I am gay.” This was the first time I have ever said this to anyone. Lori laughed and said, “Yes, I know, now go have some fun with him,” and she left us alone. I had a great time that night with Paul and I felt so good finally just being myself and not hiding the fact that I am gay. (M/30/Gay)
Story #2502
When I came out I came out it was at a school skiing trip. I came out to a friend who I had a really big crush on and it turned out that those feelings were mutual. We had a great time sneaking about and kissing until a classmate spotted us and posted a video. Everyone was really shocked but generally supportive. (F/15/Lesbian)