When I came out, my dad accepted me and he told me that he would love me no matter what. My mom is homophobic so I hadn’t told her yet. Three months later, my friend’s mom called my mom and outed me. My mom passed it off as a phase at first but when she learned that I had a girlfriend, she forced us to break up and now she pretends the whole thing never happened. She still plans my future with all the wrong pronouns. (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #1843
When I came out the first time was to one of my best friends, and I told her when I was fourteen. She was totally cool with it, and a month later I told my dad, who then told my mom. He wasn’t as accepting and we haven’t talked about it since. It makes about a year now. Last month I told one of my other best friends and she was super cool with it too. (F/15/Bi)
Story #1853
When I came out I was extremely scared. I noticed that I started having attraction towards females and yet I still liked males. I was extremely confused and I questioned my sexuality for over two years. One day I was alone in my room thinking and I finally realized that I was bisexual and I broke down crying. My close friend, who had come out long before I had, offered me emotional support and was able to help me see that my sexuality wasn’t something to be ashamed of but something beautiful to embrace. I came out to my friends and for the most part, they were pretty accepting, and some said, “We kind of knew already but we are glad you trusted us with this.” I still haven’t come out to my parents, but I’m slowly starting to build up the courage and hope to tell them soon. (F/17/Bisexual)
Story #1844
When I came out as bi, it was to my best friend. He reassured me that I’m still me no matter what. Made me happy but a good portion of my friends always joke about “being gay”. I no longer think I’m bi but gay now… I’m scared to come out to my parents. (M/18/Gay)
Story #1851
When I came out to my sister it was a little weird situation, because my sister made a joke about a girl from our soccer club, who is also a good friend of hers, and our coach. She said, “On this picture it looks as if they were a couple, but for real nobody knows if she falls for boys or girls, or do you know?” That was the moment where I first didn’t know what to say, because I did know it — after all, she’s been my girlfriend for over 3 months. At first I wanted to lie to her but then I just told her, “As far as I know and hope she is a lesbian and I am also very sure about that, ’cause we are a couple already for over 3 months.” After that she was shocked at first, but not in a negative way and after a few seconds she came over and hugged me and told me that she was happy for me and also her. (F/20/Lesbian)
Story #1842
When I came out it was by accident, I forgot to delete a message of my friend talking about me being gay. My parents went through my phone and saw. So I was forced out and thankfully they accepted me. (M/15/Gay Asexual)
Story #1850
When I came out it was before a party, and there was much anticipation of a slow dance. My mom asked me whom my crush was, and I very nervously told her it was a girl on my swim team. She paused for a moment and then told me that she too had once dated girls. My mom has since been super supportive. Although I have yet to come out to the rest of my family, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I don’t really feel the need to. (F/12/Gay)
Story #1841
When I came out as a transgender boy to my dad, he said, “So you’re a lesbian?” (M/18/Bi)
Story #1849
When I came out it was when I was in the Army and it was shortly before Obama allowed trans people to serve openly. My retention NCO was trying to keep me from ETSing and was trying to get me to sign an extension. He asked me what it would take for me to extend my service and I told him I was trans. It apparently didn’t click in his head what I meant because he said I was going to go to school to be a combat engineer and to not worry about me being a transportation operator. After going back and forth several times that I am trans he finally realized what I saying by just saying, “Ooh” in a very embarrassed way. (Transfemale/28/Transgender MtF)
Story #1840
When I came out I wrote a 17-page letter to my best friend, who I’ve been in love with for the past 3 years of high school. Our school goes on a senior retreat and there are 4 different ones throughout the year and previous retreatants write surprise letters to the current ones. On letter night he read mine and people told me he was in tears. Although he’s sadly straight, he told me he loves me no matter what and I’m still his best friend and nothing will ever change that. (M/17/Gay)