When I came out to my mom, she told me it was a phase and a way to get attention. She then started talking about how she has good female friends, but she wouldn’t sleep with them, and that I’m just confused. I dropped the subject and she never said anything about it again. I came out to my friends, who were very supportive, and I know I’m queer, but since she is not ready to accept it I’m not planning to come out to my family until I’m 18 and I don’t live with them. But I’m glad I came out, even if some people won’t accept me for who I am. It’s easier dealing with being gay than keeping a secret all the time. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #1882
When I came out, the first person I told was my best friend. I texted her and told her I had something I needed to tell her. She said, “What is it?” so I said, “I’m bisexual”. She replied with “Let’s date lol” then, “R u really tho?” I said yes, and she proceeded to tell me how amazing and beautiful and cute she thought I was. I asked her if she wanted to date, and she told me she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that, but that we could still be friends 🙁 (F/Bisexual)
Story #1881
When I came out to my best friend it felt the hardest thing in the world to do. He was very supportive, though. He would invite me for long walks late at night and we would talk for hours. After several talks he told me he was gay too. I always knew and that’s why I made the first step. Nonetheless our families don’t know yet; we aren’t strong enough to cope with the fact that they’d disown us. (M/22)
Story #1880
When I came out I went for a walk with my best friend who studies far away from our hometown, so we only meet a few times a year. We talked about the problems and dramas in her love life. Then all of a sudden she asked me about my love life and said that there does not happen anything. Then her next question was “Do you actually fall in love with men or women?” This question started a fight inside of me if I should tell the truth or lie to her. So I decided to say, “Women.” And then we continued our conversation as if nothing had happened. (F/20/Lesbian)
Story #1879
When I came out I told my best friend and he was very supportive. I just go to them whenever I have problems with my parents or any other issues, I always go to them. If you come out to anyone be sure to always have someone to go to if things go south. (Questioning/14/Polysexual)
Story #1878
When I came out as bi at age 70 to my wife of 46 years she just said, “I’ve known for 40 years. Do you want to leave me?” “No, I said I just wanted you to know.” I then told my 3 adult children; all were unconcerned and supportive. I can’t believe I held this in all my life. What a sense of freedom. BTW I have no intention of acting on my gay side and my interest in gay porn is all but gone. (M/70/Bi)
Story #1877
When I came out a few months ago I came out as bisexual to my school counselor. I gave her a note hinting that I was not straight and wanted to come out. She asked me if I was gay, but I told her I was bi. She was/is very supportive and has helped me accept myself. Don’t be afraid to be you! (F/13/Bisexual/possibly gay)
Story #1876
When I came out it was to one of my friends during recess. I already told someone else, and she acted like nothing changed, when I told the other girl at recess she was so excited that she thought it was a good idea to tell everyone in the whole school by yelling it through the hallways. Now everybody knows that I like boys and I get made fun of all the time. Luckily I have a group of supportive friends who still love me for who I am! (M/12/Gay)
Story #1875
When I came out I was at my grandma’s eighty-year party when I called my friend (who previously told me she was bi) and I simply told her that I was bi. She was so happy and I felt so good by her reaction and by finally having told someone about it. A couple of weeks after that I told her I was actually gay and I finally told almost all of my friends and got the most amazing reactions that I could’ve asked for. I still have to tell my family. It is difficult but I know that it’ll happen eventually, and I’ll finally be completely myself. (M/21/Gay)
Story #1874
When I came out last night, my mom found out my twitter account and how I’m open to everyone that I’m gay. I’m still numb at the moment because my mom told me that she won’t judge me because at the end of the day, she’s still my mother, although she told me to attend counseling with her and my father, to attend a Christian retreat, and even to pray. I’m not against it because I know deep inside me that I have a true relationship with my God. What hurts me is that people thinks that it’s my choice to be like this, that I have a choice to be straight or whatever but deep inside I know I’m not being true to myself. I know they won’t understand where I’m coming from because after all, they haven’t experienced it anyways. I’m happy being gay, I’m free, I can be myself, but sometimes I wonder, how does it feel to be a straight person without the judgment of the people around you? (M/24/Gay)