When I was about 15 I started thinking about guys. When I was about 21 I had my first experience when a friend seduced me. I liked it and at time was still interested in girls but thought this is nice and I don’t need to worry about getting a girl pregnant! I started going to gay bars and started dating men and while not all worked out I dated a couple of girls again but met my first real boyfriend at 24 at a LGBT Social Meeting. From that point on I have only been in relationships with men and while I understand women can be attractive I can’t actually imagine having sex with a female. I know I love men and may have been born gay but did not realize my feelings until 15 and by 24 I completely accepted and embraced being gay. I am a hairy happy gay versatile bear (preferably a bottom though). Currently single again but hoping to find my true top bear future husband. (M/62)
Story #2718
When I came out originally I was nine. I told my mom I didn’t feel like a girl most days, but she just told me to focus on being a ten year old girl, as my birthday was the next day. I came out again around eleven. Again, I was just told to be a girl. I officially came out and said I was trans when I was thirteen… I got hit with the “I support you, but…” and she went on a tangent about how God made me a girl, not a boy. When I got into an argument about something else, my dad started yelling about how if I want to be a boy, I should go out and do “boy sh**”. Overall it went terrible, and for them “loving me unconditionally”, it surely doesn’t feel like it. I told them I did not like my body and essentially was told to get over it. (M/14/FTM)
Story #2717
When I came out, I was really scared because I live in Russia. The first person I told was my cousin, and she was actually super happy — she had always wanted a “gay friend” (even though I’m not gay, but okay). Later I formed my own little community in my city. Now we usually hang out as a group of 10–15 people — all gay, bi, or just guys who like guys. It feels amazing to have this support here. Coming out to my mom was harder. She’s not just religious — she’s part of a sect. During one fight I shouted, “I’m omni!” She didn’t understand at first, googled it, and the next morning simply texted me: “Your choice.” We haven’t talked about it since. My dad is military and very homophobic, so I won’t tell him until I’m independent. Now most people know about my gender, and it’s not such a big secret anymore. Honestly, for someone living in a homophobic country, that feels really powerful. (Demiboy/14/Omnisexual)
Story #2716
When I came out I promised myself that I would not deny it if people asked if I were gay, and I even brought up the topic around my classmates indirectly. For a whole year, nobody asked me, but finally, in the beginning of grade 9, I was talking with some friends at school and one of them asked me if I were gay. I didn’t deny or confirm it, but I was being quite obvious. I later confirmed that I was gay to them on text. In June, I came out to my older brother at a pride parade (he wanted to go, I went with him). Still not out to my parents. I know they are transphobic but not sure if they are homophobic as well. (M/15/Gay)
Story #2715
When I came out, my mom asked me why I felt that way. I asked her why she felt ‘that way’ about my dad. She asked what she did wrong, but reminded me she still loved me. I was expecting to be kicked out of the house. About a year later now, she’s still not 100% on board, but she’s gotten better. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #2714
When I came out people said, “We all know” “What took you so long” “We were waiting for you to tell us” “I know, I thought you were going to tell me something bad had happened, like you had cancer or something.” (To be honest, I had the world’s slowest social transition.)
Story #2713
When I came out, I texted my parents at 10 at night. My mum saw, then came and hugged me, and told me she loved me. My dad saw in the morning and was also very accepting. I texted a few of my open minded friends; one didn’t care, and one didn’t read it. Coming out to my bi friend at school after the holidays. Still to go: 9yo brother, Rest of friends, school, and extended family. For anyone wanting to come out, good luck, and you have my support. 🙂 (F/11/Bi/omni?)
Story #2712
When I came out to my family about my homosexual tendencies, I was 13 years old. I came out in a very unfortunate situation — my parents had read my diary, and at that time, I still couldn’t accept myself. They thought it was just a teenage phase, and honestly, so did I. I wasn’t able to truly accept my sexuality until I developed an anxiety disorder due to prolonged stress. Since then, I’ve started learning how to accept it — but even now, I still struggle to love girls with my full, honest feelings. That struggle has weighed on me for four years. Now, at 17, I’m finally walking the path to find the real answer to that question. (Lesbian/17)
Story #2711
When I came out it was really first to one person accidentally. We were in chorus and I was sitting next to her. She asked if I had a crush on any guys and I said, “No, not on any girls either.” She then said, “You’re bi?” And I said yes. Also our friend group is all LGBTQIA+ and ally so I came out soon after when it came up. I am only out as en-by to 1 friend though. (Nonbinary/Pansexual)
Story #2710
When I came out to my best friend I thought I’d regret it immediately. I was terrified it would be a “not in my backyard” situation. It’s scary thinking these things will change the entire way someone sees you, more than the physical but your entire sense of self and your soul, in their eyes. I wasn’t going to tell her until after her wedding. She had made me Maid of Honour. What was I gonna be now? But the wedding is over a year away and my feelings about my gender keep getting stronger, and I just couldn’t do this to myself anymore. When I told her, she hugged me as I cried, and one of the first things she said was “we’ll pick a new title for you for the wedding if you want”, which just made me cry even harder. (Transmasc/bigender/30/Bi/pan)