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)
Story #1848
When I came out to my best friend, who is a very funny person just like me, I decided to use a joke. I told her I like women like she likes her coffee. She said she doesn’t like coffee. When I said, “Exactly,” she got the pieces together and started laughing. She was very supportive after that. (M/17/Gay)
Story #1839
When I came out I didn’t know what to expect. I have had feelings for girls since the fourth grade… but I’ve known I had always liked guys too. I wanted to come out to my cousin first because they are in lgbtq+ community. They said they will support me if I ever needed it. They promised they wouldn’t tell anyone because I was afraid. I still have not come out to my guardians because I am scared to say my sexuality. (F/13/Bisexual)
Story #1847
When I came out, I was 13 and had my first crush on a guy (who was bi). All my friends were supportive and turned out to be LGBTQ+ too. The crush and I never had a relationship, but he helped me through things and I soon realized that I was gay, not bisexual. Now I just need to find a way to come out to my extremely religious homophobic parents who sit me down each day and tell me that being gay is a huge sin. Hope things go well! (M/15/Gay)