When I came out, I was 14, just a few weeks ago. I had already come out to a few close friends, who were fine with it, but I struggled with the idea of coming out to everyone else; I have an aunt and uncle who are homophobic, who were living with us at the time, and my best friend, from age 6, is extremely Catholic and has very one-sided views about LGBT people. I finally worked up my courage after about a year of being sure of my sexuality. It was painful to get the words out of my mouth; it felt like a dream, like someone else was saying the words. My parents were indifferent; they have not acknowledged the fact at all. My best friend has not spoken to me since, and neither have my aunt and uncle. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #1862
When I came out to my best friend I was pretty scared to tell him but I somehow knew that he accepts for what I am. I had a sleepover at his house and it was already very late and we both played in the bed and talked about love and crushes and something like that, then I tried to tell it to him. I talked about 20 minutes to explain it to him but I didn’t wanted to say it to him directly till he figured it out. He accepted me as who I am and we talked the whole night about it. (M/14/Bi)
Story #1861
When I came out to my family as gay they considered it a joke, phase, or something for attention. They didn’t think of asking me if I liked someone or anything. What shocked me more was that all my friends were the ones who supported me and cared, but it hurt that my family didn’t care or didn’t want to believe that their daughter was gay. They started trying to get me a boyfriend, which was not wanted of course, and I told them to stop but they continued to ship me with guys who were my closest friends. IDK if they are homophobic or just confused, but I can’t bring myself to hate them for not being happy for me. (F/13/Gay/Lesbian)
Story #1860
When I came out it was to my stepsister. We were generally really open to each other, telling each other about our crushes and drama. But as I started to discover myself I became more secretive, until eventually she sat me down and asked why I never talk to her anymore. After a lot of pestering I told her I was gay. Telling her was a big step in me coming to terms with it myself. I’m now officially out and couldn’t be happier. (M/15/Gay)
Story #1859
When I came out I was surprised by myself. I always knew what my sexuality was but I vowed I would never tell anyone. I told my best friend the day after we saw a gay coming of age movie together. She was extremely supportive and I’m so glad I have her. This year I went to my first pride and I couldn’t stop crying seeing all the love around NYC. Now it’s just time to come out to my extremely religious Chinese parents who asked me if I was going to pride to pick up girls… (M/15/GAYYY)
Story #1858
When I came out this year my mom started crying, saying that being gay isn’t a real thing and people just say that and started blaming things like the places we lived, my dad not being home enough, etc. My dad went and hit me, and I had a bruise on my back and I had to change for gym and someone, who I thought was super homophobic, asked what it was and I told them and they’ve been so supportive. Now I have a whole support group, haha! My parents have had multiple people talk to me to fix me. I’m not allowed to tell anyone… especially my brothers (I’m the oldest) because they don’t want me to do to them what “someone did to me”, make me “think” I’m gay. I’m not allowed to hang out with boys nor anyone who seems gay or seems like they would be supportive of it. They said I’m going to hell, my mom compared it to murder, and my dad said it’s the same thing as him having a relationship with a desk. But my friends are helping me get through it and it’s getting better. 🙂 I think (M/17/Gay/bi?)
Story #1857
When I came out to my friend yesterday, we were in the bus ride to a field trip. We were talking about how there was a time when I was very social and I brought up that there was something that had happened that made me less confident in myself (coming out to my close friends and parents). She asked what it was so I typed in phone, “I’m kinda bi.” She was/is supper supportive about it and we just talked about for a while. I’m so glad I have friends like her. (F/14/Bi)
Story #1856
When I came out, I was talking with my friend and she asked who I liked. I refused to tell her and made her guess the name. She finally put two and two together and asked me if it was a girl and I just nodded. I was super lucky that she accepted everything and actually knew what asexuality was. (F/14/Homoromantic Asexual)
Story #1855
When I came out, I was 16 in Year 12, but I had known since 13, and I told my friend I had a crush on someone. I was digging myself a hole because I had never talked about my crushes, so I dragged it out and was like, “Oh, I’m never gonna tell you.” Then I kept thinking about it in lessons. Then I ended up texting her on the bus when she was sitting right next to me ’cause I was too scared to tell her out loud. Then we talked about it and ate McDonald’s after. But it was the biggest weight off my chest. It’s going to be a long time before I come out to my family though. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1854
When I came out I was in a relationship with a woman for 8 years. She didn’t take it well and unfortunately we had to stop talking completely.
Luckily I met a very wonderful man and he has been a huge help through this. I love him more than I could have imagined loving another person was possible. More importantly I love finally being me. (M/25/Gay)