When I came out (to my friends) I was 13 years old and had just realized my obsession with Jade West was suspicious, to say the least. I remember watching Victorious for the second time when it came to Netflix and all those feelings I had for Jade when I was 9 or 10 came back and it became clear to me that there was one reason why I simply hated Beck for no apparent reason, that I wanted to see Jade and Tori kiss and that I overlooked Jade’s cruelty, and that reason was I was infatuated with that woman. Since that moment it all came back to me, all the signs I (and everyone I know) had ignored and in hindsight I was extremely gay as a child and never really hid it. Oh yeah and my family still doesn’t know. (F/17/Lesbian?)
Story #2674
When I came out, I had a crush on my friend who is 3 years older than me. She’s religious but I knew that she wasn’t against LGBTQ. I thought about my feelings for a while and I had lost my feelings for her because we respect each other and support each other a lot and I didn’t want to lose that. I was terrified to come out to her and I also confessed that I had a crush on her but I no longer did. She took it so well and said that she fully supports me and that my sexuality doesn’t change how she views me and I just feel so relieved and happy to have someone who supports and cares about me. (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2673
When I came out I was twelve and had just gone to high school, which was the first place I ever thought about the word “gay,” as it was frequently used as a joke and insult. My best friend was chill though, and it gave me the courage to come out to my family. If people see this, know that it’s scary but if the people in your life are worth it then they will accept you for who you are lol. (M/15/Gay?)
Story #2672
When I came out, I was twelve years old at the time. I don’t really remember the context that well, but I did turn to my mum and say: ‘I might be gay.’ This was followed by awkward silence, to which I peered over to see she was typing out a Facebook post: ‘My twelve year old just came out to me as gay, do I give them the talk’. Humiliated, I just took it back. Two years later I tested the waters, coming out as bisexual, to which I was told, ‘everyone starts out that way, you’re confused.’ My friends have all been supportive, it’s just my parents that I have to deal with now. I have yet to mention that I use she/they pronouns. (Demigirl/17/Lesbian)
Story #2671
When I came out, I was fourteen. I came out to my best friend, on snapchat, because I think I liked a girl. At the time, it felt like the scariest thing ever, but since then I’ve come out to a few of my other friends. (F/16/Bisexual)
Story #2670
When I came out, I was twelve. At the time I had had an enbyfriend and identified as she/they. When I told my mom about them, I was surprised that she was supportive of it! Although some people weren’t “with it” my church was! I am so glad to be myself! (They/them/13/Poly)
Story #2669
When I came out in the spring of 1970, it was nine months after the Stonewall rebellion. Once I owned my identity as a gay man, I made sure everyone knew. I started the New Haven Gay Liberation Front, moved to NYC to work in the original Gay Liberation Front and live in a pioneering gay men’s collective, and ensure that others would not have to suffer in the closet as I did. Close to 55 years later, I’m actively working in the WA State LGBTQ Commission to safeguard our rights. Being gay is a blessing. (M/79/Gay)
Story #2668
When I came out, it was completely accidental. I was watching a movie with my aunt, who was my legal guardian, when the movie said the three words that started it all: “I ain’t gay.” My aunt chuckled before seeing me tense up before asking me if I was gay. That was when my mouth acted before my brain did and blurted out: “I am.” Ever since then, me and my aunt have grown closer and, lo and behold, my aunt is in a secret relationship with her manager, who happens to be a woman. (M/16/Gay)
Story #2667
When I came out, It was during a field trip. My mom, who was involved with fundraisers for our school, decided to volunteer. One of the kids that I didn’t like saw me and my mom board the bus and outed me, saying: “HEY, DOES YOUR MOM KNOW YOU’RE GAY?” I was hurt and my mom looked at me, at the kid, back at me, and escorted me to my seat. For about thirty minutes, me and my mom sat in awkward silence before she held my hand and told me she loved me no matter what. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2666
When I came out, it was a total accident. I had been flirting with my crush (a girl) over texts, and one day my parents decided to check it… I got my phone privileges taken because my parents thought I was gay. Because Asians… After that, I pretended I was straight to my parents and at school I was myself. One day I was chilling and it hit me, am I really BiSEXUAL? Like, I don’t want to have sex or anything… So I researched. And I discovered BIROMANTIC. (F/13/Biromantic)