When I came out I had a few friends I was out to and wanted to tell more, so when one of my friends came out to me, I felt a safe-space was with her. Big mistake for me. I told her (who I no longer trust) and another friend (who is very nice and is still my friend today, very accepting) after school one day and the next I have one of my friends coming up to me saying, “I didn’t know you were bi!” and I freak out. I played it cool, as if I meant for this to happen, trying to make sure others didn’t hear (I had some homophobic “friends” at the time), while having a panic attack and the friend I came out to the day before smirking. I asked her why she told the person who I hadn’t trusted with this secret yet and she told me that I should have told her sooner and that “I just helped you, you had to do it soon.” Later she became VERY homophobic and transphobic and made jokes about being gay, in a very homophobic way. Luckily know I have better friends and she is no longer near me. (Demiboy/Pan/demi)
Story #2110
When I came out I was 14 and my sister was completely accepting. Not only did she support me fully, she promised to follow me on my journey. (M/14/Gay)
Story #2109
When I came out my family accepted it but didn’t like it. They love me and they accept me but we never speak of it and they very quickly stopped asking me about the romantic parts of my life. But I found more family that just happens to not be blood related. I found my lgbt family. Not only do they love and unconditionally accept me but they encourage me to talk about my fears, my loves and everything in my heart. And I unconditionally love them and with them I’ve been happier than ever. (F/50/Lesbian)
Story #2108
When I came out it was to my mum. I told her I had something to tell her. We sat down and I realised how scared I was. I was crying and when I finally told her she said she didn’t mind and was really supportive. It was such a weight off my shoulders and now I have to work on telling my dad and sister. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2107
When I came out to my brother today, it was entirely spontaneous and unplanned. I knew he would be supportive, I wasn’t worried about that, I just hadn’t felt ready to admit it to anyone yet. I asked him if he would tell our grandparents if he dated anyone of the same gender (he’s bicurious) and he said yes. He asked me if I would; I said that I don’t think I would. He asked if there was a possibility of that happening. I shut the door and just admitted everything: “Yeah, had my first crush on a girl when I was in year 7, and I think I’ve always liked them like that”. He said he wasn’t surprised and had always wondered. We laughed about it for a minute or two and then my mom walked in so we dropped the convo. I feel confused about it all, but like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel proud. (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #2106
When I came out as a lesbian I did it through a letter to a close friend. I was extremely nervous and it took me close to ten minutes to just hit the send button even though I know it would be fine. She’s really accepting, and she doesn’t care at all. I’m more concerned about the rest of my friends, though, because of all of them being rather homophobic. Oh well. Wish me luck! (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2105
When I came out as aroace I first came out to my classmate/friend. I told her I thought I was aroace, but she laughed and made fun of me, saying I was way too young to know and just confused. The next day I came out to my mum that night after she asked me if I was gay, and I told her no. I told her that I just didn’t like anybody and that that would probably be forever like that. She was first off sad because she thought that I would be unhappy that way. I told her that I’m happy with friends and family and that if I would be in a relationship, it would make me unhappy. She accepted it, so I told her that I was probably aroace. She accepted that too. (Genderfluid/13/Aroace)
Story #2104
When I came out I felt like it was impossible to say the words. I just told my mum that I had to tell her something and then couldn’t get a word out. She eventually said, “Just come out and say it” so I laughed (through my tears) saying that she just made a pun and I let her figure it out on her own. She was accepting and I’m proud of who I am. Every day it gets easier to say those words: I’m gay. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2103
When I came out to my mom I was 9, and I thought I was bi. We were driving home from my soccer practice, and it just slipped out. She didn’t really react, but she makes a lot of jokes about it now. About a year later I had yet to crush on a boy, and I realized I was probably lesbian. I never told her that straightforward (haha now I’m doing it too) but I think she gets the memo. Last night though, I woke up from a dream where I came out to everybody I know as pan, and I’m thinking that I might actually be pan and I’ve just never been attracted to anybody but girls. I guess I’m just gonna have to reevaluate myself or something. (F/12/Questioning)
Story #2102
When I came out, my sister found my journal and read it, finding out about my crush and she thought I was gay. Turns out my sister is incredibly homophobic, and I found her diary. All she talked about was boys and how “ewwwww my sister is gay” and it kind of crushed me. But she knows I’m bi now… (F/13/Asexual biromantic)