When I Came Out

When I came out, I was 49 years old. I’d been married twice, never happily, because in the back of my befuddled mind, I really loved girls. I came out to lesbian friends first, to my three sons, two (out of five) brothers, and my parents next. After all these years I no longer carry the burden of hiding in the closet. I plan on living loud and proud. Finally.

When I came out to my real dad the whole day I was crying. I was thinking to myself Is he gonna accept me for who I am or is he gonna push me away. Well I got the balls to tell him and he told me, “Yes you are my baby girl and regardless if you straight or gay I will accept you for you.” :’)

When I came out, it was almost two weeks ago. I was sitting in a car with two guy friends when suddenly one of them said he didn’t know anyone who was gay only two bisexuals … Then I told him “now you do” both were like “really?” then just “cool” and the conversation continued like before. They’re really awesome and I was nervous because I haven’t known them for so long 🙂

When I came out to my parents they were nothing but positive and loving. After that I spent the rest of my day driving to all of my friends’ houses on a sort of coming out marathon. I have never felt more loved; I should have done it sooner.

When I came out, I was 14. I told one of my best friends at school that I had big news, that I am a lesbian. She just said, “Okay,” like it didn’t matter, and then, “So what’s the big news?” I was so happy by how she took it I started crying and gave her a hug. The next day I told another friend, and within two months every single one of my friends had accepted it and still love me for who I am.

When I came out to an extremely conservative friend I was really terrified of her possible reaction. But when I told her, she got really embarrassed and she said that she was sorry if she had ever said any homophobic comments. 5 months after, she admits that I changed her mind and she’s got another point of view now.

When I came out to one of my best friends, he just listened silently and then he said, “Well, I guess you’re not going to like the Playboy magazine we bought you for your birthday.” Then I laughed and hugged him.

When I came out, I was so terrified that I had my best friend with me holding my hand while I was coming out to my father over the phone (I live in a different state). He was silent for a second, and told me it didn’t change a thing, that he loved me, and that he was glad that I trusted him enough to tell him. He even apologized to me in case he had ever said something that made me afraid to come out to him.

When I came out, it was to a friend I trusted. We were at an athletics stadium. My friend and I went alone to do long jump, when I cornered her, and I simply told her: “I’m bi.” She asked me what it meant and I told her. For a minute, she just stood there; it was the scariest minute ever. She then told me it’s ok, and asked who and I told her, and she said she was still my friend and would never leave me.

When I came out, my brother was visiting me in college and we hadn’t seen each other in a long time. I wasn’t planning on saying it but the timing felt right, and it was at night and we were watching “The Shining.” He stopped the movie, went to the cabinet and my kitchen and popped a bottle of champagne. He was ecstatic. He said he thought I might be, but he didn’t want to confront me before I was ready. We spent the whole night talking about me being gay, and he asked if there was anyone I had my eyes on, and how great it was that I was happy and how happy he was for it. Now here we are, 6 years later, and he’s agreed to be the best man at my wedding.