When I Came Out

When I came out to my parents, I was in tears and afraid. My mom held my hand, smiled, and said, “We already knew. We love you!” Now she calls my wife her favorite daughter-in-law. We are so lucky and so loved.

When I came out my mother disowned me and I was on the streets at 14. I’ve taken care of myself and am doing well at 42. My mother has lost out on knowing what a good man her son became.

When I came out to my grandparents, my grandmother asked in an even, concerned tone, “Why do you think you are gay?” My grandfather answered for me, “He likes boys, what else does he need to know?” They’ve been extremely supportive the whole time, and quite like my partner of 7 years.

When I came out to my high school friend I was drunk and tried to make out with him. He asked, “Are you gay?” I said yes, and he was totally fine with it and gave me a hug…but he still wouldn’t let me make out with him.

When I came out to my mom, it was on my 19th birthday in my dorm room. She and my sister and her toddler son surprised me, saw some gay content around the room, and so it began. Not to be upstaged, my sister then confessed she’d had a threesome with a girl, and my mom contemplated her own possible same-sex desires, while my two-year old nephew tottered around our feet. All in all, it went really well. Except that I had to do it all over again six months later: mom was so high she hadn’t realized that I was telling her I was gay.

When I came out to my fraternity brothers they said, “We know,” and gave me a beer and a hug.

When I came out to my mom at 15, she said I was obviously molested as a boy, and that I’d die of AIDS. She sent me to a Christian therapist. We didn’t speak for years. Fast forward 14 years, my mom is one of my biggest supporters, and my partner and I spent Christmas this year with our entire family. Give people time; love conquers all.

When I came out in 1998, my mom cried from fear. When I got married to my partner in 2008, she cried again, but this time, from happiness.

When I came out to my mom she said that she had known since I was five years old and had asked her to teach me how to crochet. We got along great after that. She told me that I was like the daughter she never had. My sisters did not appreciate this.

When I came out, I was suddenly lifted out of a long depression. For weeks after, I was sure people could tell I was gay just by looking at me. And I didn’t care.