When I Came Out

When I came out in August as a gay boy my mom thought at first that I was joking but then she hugged me and we went to tell my dad, who said that it was great. Now let’s come out to the rest of the world.

When I came out I was 13. I never liked a boy and felt what girls my age felt for boys towards other girls. I made a powerpoint for my mom about me being a lesbian and answers to any questions she might have. I texted her before school that I made her a powerpoint for her on my iPad. She read it while I was in school. Afterwards we talked; she accepted and let me go butch.

When I came out, it was almost to my closest guy friend. He said he had something to tell me so I thought I might as well hit two birds with one stone. He looks me dead in the eye and says, “I love you”. I proceeded to stand up, leave the room, and go buy ice cream, instead coming out to the parlor boy.

When I came out just now to my mother, I had to write it down as if sending a letter. She’s the only person I’ve told. She’ll never read the letter; she passed away ten years ago. But even the thought of her acceptance makes me stronger.

When I came out, it was to my best friend. I told her, “Hey, let’s play a game of truth or truth. Here’s a hint: I’m trying to get you to ask me if I’m gay so I can say yes.” And she said, “WHAT!?!? Are you serious?” And I said yeah, and she said, “Well, you’ve got to understand that I love gays, more than gays love gays.” I’m so glad that she was so accepting.

When I came out, my granddad held me up against a wall while my nan sobbed on the floor. I was 13. I’ve been in a relationship with a girl who identifies as a man for six years. I am proud to be a pansexual woman; I think it is beautiful that I can love anyone and everyone.

When I came out, I was engaged to a man. It never felt exactly “right” being with a man, but I’d convinced myself this thing I thought was missing wasn’t real. I came out to my best friend of 3 years over a bottle of wine just 2 months after she came out to me. We were both 22, and we had fallen in love. Now, she’s my girlfriend, and the best one anyone could ask for.

When I came out, it was to my best friend. I sent her a text telling her I was going to tell her my biggest secret and the next day I had to choke out the words “I like girls”. She was fine with it and was cracking jokes by lunchtime!

When I came out, I finally realized who I was at 23, and when I told my whole family they already knew. They were very supportive. What got me was how I beat myself up over it for years, and thinking to myself how much I was worried, hated, and felt judged, when I was the one who was doing it to myself. It’s a freeing feeling. You feel like your puzzle piece found a place to fit in, and it’s the first step at becoming you.

When I came out I made my friend a rainbow card that said, “Surprise, I’m gay.” I’m glad she took it well because I worked about 2 hours trying to get the pieces of the stupid rainbow to line up and if she ended up rejecting me it would have been a complete waste of my time.