When I came out, my family was generally accepting at first, until I started telling my mom about a girl I was talking to at the time. After this, she started making fun of me and telling me that I was a “waste of a girl” and immediately sent me to a therapist. She also continued to tell me she’d “turn me straight” and that I need to give guys a chance. It’s been difficult but I’m proud to be who I am, no matter what she says or thinks. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1819
When I came out, it didn’t go as well as I thought it would. I was in 8th grade and told my best friend that I had feelings for another girl. She called me disgusting and said that to her being gay was severely wrong. I apologized to her and asked if we could forget about it, but she never spoke to me ever again. Today, 3 years later, I haven’t come out to anyone else because I fear they will take it the same way. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1818
When I came out for the first time, it was to one of my close friends. We were in the park goofing off. I said to him, “Can I tell you something? I’m bi.” He just looked at me and said, “Oh, ok. If anyone tries to hate on you then tell me.” Then we just went right back to whatever we were doing like what I never said anything. (F/12/Cis bisexual)
Story #1817
When I came out to my best girl friend, I stuttered and it took me five minutes to tell. But boy, I was so happy. I come from a very religious region of the Netherlands, and everybody who I told was happy to hear it and they all said, ”Alright, we still love you, but we knew it for a long time.” The fifth person I came out to was my preacher, and his words were beautiful: ”It isn’t God who hates gay people, He loves them, it’s the people who don’t understand Him.” That’s why I am still a Christian gay and even my very religious parents accepted me. A month ago I came out to my best friends in three seconds. It was very simple now. (M/17/Gay)
Story #1816
When I came out, I was 16, my exam results had just come out and I had done exceptionally well. I ended up having a breakdown because I felt like I was finally doing something right for the first time and making my mom proud, but I was still hiding a significant part of me. I felt like a fraud so I went out and got a piercing and texted my mum. I still haven’t come out to anyone else because I don’t like the idea of having to confess; it seems like admitting something shameful to me. One day I would like to just bring a girl along and be like , “This is my girl.” (F/19/Bi)
Story #1815
When I came out I was about 14, and it was to a couple of friends at the school I go to. I had started taking a Creative Writing class a week or two ago and decided to write a poem for them to read. I handed it to them without saying anything and just let them read it. I didn’t know what to do with myself so I just awkwardly stood there while they read it. It wasn’t like a big group thing, I just kind of found some of my friends while they were alone and gave them the poem. They were all really shocked, I guess, except for one person who somehow had a feeling, and I clearly remember one person gasping, “Really?” And I just quietly mumbled, “Yeah.” (F/15/Gay)
Story #1814
When I came out to my very conservative gran (I was already out to everyone else) I told her I was a lesbian and my girlfriend was going to be at an event we were going to the next day. She isn’t homophobic but has this idea of me marrying a rich man and having children, so boy was she shocked. She then proceeded to tell me I would grow out of it, blah blah blah. I don’t really care about her reaction; she wants me to be happy and I am. She will adapt. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1813
When I came out I was very nervous. I was 14 years old and in school at that time. At the time I had four friends whom I knew from elementary school. When I dared to come out, three of them made vulgar comments and went to the other end of the school. I started to cry. Only one of my friends was standing next to me. I said she could walk away like the others, but she supports me, so I cried even more. (F/17/Biromantic)
Story #1812
When I came out to someone in person for the first time I was in the car with two of my close friends. I had just developed a crush on a girl for the first time and even though I knew I had no chance I wanted to go to this music event that I knew she was going to attend and I asked my friends to come along. It felt like I was lying to them so I said, “I don’t want to go there only for the music, I have a crush” — here my friend said, “I knew it! Who is he?” — “and the reason I haven’t told you is because it’s a girl.” They were surprised but very supportive and the positive reaction was an important step in me accepting myself as bisexual. (F/21/Bi)
Story #1811
When I came out to my friends, they were really supportive, for the most part. (One of them even ultimately became my girlfriend! :)) But one friend said that homosexuality was against her religion, and she didn’t want to associate with me anymore. I didn’t care, but then she threatened to tell my parents. I had already told my dad, who was supportive, but my mom is extremely homophobic; so I still have to come out to my mom… (F/13/Lesbian)