When I came out it was just to my friends. My parents are homophobic, so I didn’t know that girls and girls were accepted. In 7th grade I found out I like girls and told a few friends. I’m in 9th now and gave a letter to my crush at the beginning of the year and got humiliated by all of the people in theatre. Now I have a crush on my best friend. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2699
When I came out it wasn’t all at once. I came out as bisexual at 13 and came out as a trans man to my friends at 15 and to my family at 16. Trying to discover my sexuality was intertwined with trying to discover my gender and vice versa. I was trying to suppress who I was because evangelical family members called who I am a sin. I refuse to live in shame again. (Nonbinary Trans Man/25/Bisexual)
Story #2698
When I came out, I came out at 38, after a lifetime of repressing my bisexuality. A childhood spent being mocked for anything about me that was different had taught me to mask myself so carefully even I didn’t know it. Until a new friend showed me a path to realizing everything about me is normal. And I figured it out, and came out. And I’m happy now. I’ll always feel a sense of grief for the versions of me that never got to live, but I’m grateful to know who I am, to understand what happened to me, to love myself for who and what I am, and to live completely free of the shame that ruled my entire life for so long. I hope for a world where everyone can know this freedom. I’m out and proud because I want to build that world. There’s work to do and I refuse to hide from it. (M/38/Bisexual)
Story #2697
When I truly came out for the first time, it wasn’t planned. I’d been struggling with my mental health for a while, and one night, while texting my best friend (who I had already come out to as bi the year before) I let it all out. When he asked how I’d been doing mentally, I told him about my struggles with anxiety and depression and admitted that I had lied about being bi just so a part of me could still feel “normal,” even though I’m just gay, which really isn’t that bad either 🙂 I love you all — remember, you’re not alone in this! (M/18/Gay)
Story #2696
When I came out, it was a bit rough since I was already deemed a disappointment to my parents for being a teen parent. When they figured out that I was lesbian by going through my desk, they were clearly upset. But I didn’t let that stop me from pursuing my dreams. Now, I’m a therapist helping people who are going through tough times. To those who wish to come out, be brave and confident! (F/27/Lesbian)
Story #2695
When I came out, I first came out, rather shakily, to my hair stylist. The subject of my pronouns came up while she was talking with another hairstylist, and she so quickly said “He/Him” that I couldn’t step in and correct her. Later, towards the end of the haircut, I brought it up again, saying I wasn’t out yet, how I’m really They/Them, and she was very supportive. I’m still not out to anyone else, but am so happy that just one person knows. (Non-binary/Bi)
Story #2694
When I came out it wasn’t something that happened all at once. After figuring out my identity at 12, I first was open with the queer friends I made in high school at 15. It took me 4 more years to build up the courage to come out to my mom over text, and she and my dad were supportive! At the present moment it is still something that’s on my mind a lot, especially concerning my extended family and a grandmother whom I’m close with. (Non-binary/20/Aroace)
Story #2693
When I came out I was 14, but instead of being my full true self I had to identify as bi and go back into hiding. It was badddd; my mother literally grounded me for saying I liked girls. A few years go by and I date a guy for 1 week on the dot; I think I was 17, but I told him I couldn’t do it cause it was gross to me. I came out to my cousin and she said she already knew, then slowly again told my mother after being in a relationship with a girl for 3 months. I still hadn’t told my dad at that point, but finally told him at the beginning of my second relationship I was a lesbian and he was cool with it. (F/26/Lesbian)
Story #2692
When I came out, I was 13/14 at the time. I came out to my best friend and this girl I had a crush on by pointing out a flag and asking if my BFF knew what flag it was. I came out as Pan at the time. At 16, however, I considered myself queer because I couldn’t tell if I liked men, then bi because it felt more binary and more accurate; I still question if I like men. What made me realise I was probably gay was from as young as 8, I used to love jade west and still do; I remember listing all the qualities I thought was “pretty”; I also remember specifically liking Belle, cuz again, “pretty”. (F/20/Bi/queer)
Story #2691
When I came out as a lesbian I was 11. My family kinda thought it was a phase. My friends were super supportive, but then I ended up moving. Right now I live in a super homophobic state, but I didn’t know that when I moved here. I get remarks weekly about how being lesbian is sinful and unnatural. I have a couple friends who I’m out as genderfluid to, and they’re pretty supportive, but I’m scared to come out publicly. To everyone who is thinking of coming out, I send you love ❤️ (Genderfluid/13/Lesbian)