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)
Story #1873
When I came out a year ago it was the last day of school and the first day of pride month. I was trying to still do the things I wanted even though I was in the closet (I’d known I was queer for a couple years and known I was gay for one), so I was putting posters for an LGBT+ book club around town with my mom. We were in the car (of course) and she brought up the book club and all the gay books I’d been reading and straight up asked me. I wanted to tell her, but I physically couldn’t get the words out, so I had her guess and nodded when she said gay. I always knew she’d be okay with it, but I was still terrified, and in the moment I was sobbing even though nothing bad had happened. Actually, afterwards my mom told me she was bi and I was the first person in the world she told in 30+ years of keeping the secret. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1872
When I came out it was more of a case of “I know I like guys but I think I like girls too”. I first told my mum. She was so supportive and genuinely excited for me! I then told my best friend and she’s already planning our pride month together next year! (F/15/Bi)
Story #1871
When I came out 12 years ago, my parents were mortified. Living in India, where homosexuality was still illegal, was no piece of cake. They told me I was probably confused, and that I must never tell anyone about my sexuality and just remain asexual all my life. Then for years, we pretended like nobody knew anything. Earlier this year, they watched me get a doctorate and we all celebrated with my boyfriend and his family.
Story #1870
When I came out to my ”friends” I was 14. After that I got bullied at school because of it. Things were really ugly at that time. Luckily with help of my good friends I survived. Now I am completely cool with my sexual orientation and my whole environment also is great about it. Could not been happier. It does get better, kids! Though coming out to my family — completely different story. (F/19/Bi)
Story #1869
When I came out I had a boyfriend and he lived away from me. Every weekend he was going to visit me and my mother thought it was strange… and she asked me why he was always coming to my home. I created courage and said, “Because he’s my boyfriend.” She was shocked. (M/36/Gay)