When I came out, it was to one of my friends who I hadn’t talked to in almost a year. Like a real conversation. But she was one of the few people who I actually knew her opinions on LGBTQ. My parents are homophobic and I used to be. We used to fight over it sometimes. But anyway. It was great. She’s been helping me a lot recently. Either tomorrow or on Monday, I’ll come out to my parents. But, real quick, I also reached out to another LGBTQ person and they’ve also been a big help. So, wish me luck. (Guy/13/Bi)
Story #2045
When I came out to one of my best friends today, I did it unplanned. I was feeling sad and alone along with physical pain that started to build up. I just casually asked my friend if we could talk alone and then I struggled to find the right words. So I just said, “I’m not entirely sure, but I don’t think I’m a girl.” She thought I was a trans guy, but I told her, “I also know I’m not a guy. I think I might be non-binary.” She knew what that meant and was very supportive, she told me everything was going to be okay as I cried in her arms. I have days were I feel like a girl and others when I don’t, and that’s a confusing place for me to be right now. I told her this but she just said, “You are who you are, and I’ll love you no matter what.” (?/15/Bi/Pan?)
Story #2040
When I came out I first told my best friend that I trust the most that I’m bi and she took it so damn well; I was so happy. I told her that over a text, so the next day at school she just came to me and hugged me. My friends had been asking about my crush but I wasn’t ready to tell yet. It took a while and I told my crush that I was bi, and suddenly she just responded that she was bi too, so we came out to each other. A few days later I told her that I had feelings for her and she actually had some feelings for me too. It took a while and then I finally told my other best friend that I was bi and she said it was okay and nothing will change. For now I don’t really care who knows and who doesn’t. It doesn’t matter because my loved ones know so I don’t care about others’ opinions. (F/15/Bi)
Story #2037
When I came out, I texted my (at the time) best friend and told her I was bi. She jokingly texted back, “lets date lol,” then “r u actually tho” and I told her I was. When I asked if she actually wanted to date, she said she thought I was super cute and amazing, but she wasn’t quite ready for that and we could still be friends. But one night, I went to stay at her house and had to leave early and she just stopped responding to my texts and calls. I don’t know what to do or how to get her to like me again. (F/Bi)
Story #2027
When I came out I was cooking dinner with my family. I just flat out said, “Hey Dad, I’m bisexual.” He seemed surprised but still continued to stir pasta in a boiling pot while asking how long I’ve known. I said since I was 12 and I was afraid but he says he accepts most LGBTQ+ members but not necessarily gay men. I hope my dad can soon learn to appreciate everyone in the LGBTQ+ soon. My mother on the other hand is still quite confused but she stills accepts it. (F/15/Bi)
Story #2022
When I came out to my brother, I was really freaking out because I wasn’t sure what he would say or think about it. Turns out he was bisexual like me and that caused me so much relief. (F/13)
Story #2018
When I came out to my best friend I was 19 years old, the day before my birthday. I wanted to be more free, you know what I mean? Well, I just told her I wanted to go out for a coffee. We started talking and suddenly I was speechless; she was the first person ever that I was just coming out to. She asked me what was going on, and I almost had an anxiety attack, it was just too much for me. All my life I was told homosexuality was a sin, so I started believing that for a second. The moment I told her I was bi, she just hugged me and told me nothing was going to change. (M/23/Bisexual)
Story #2011
When I first “came out” to my gay guy friend, he tried to convince me that I should come out to my mom. I told him I wanted to but I was really scared to do so. My parents are divorced so I don’t care if my dad knows. I chickened out on the idea of coming out to my mom and two years later she found out on her own. I’m bisexual, and my mom found out when I was 13, last year. She thinks it’s a phase but she still loves me. Then I came out with my best friend and she was super supportive and really awesome about it. I’m considering coming out to the world in 2020, so wish me luck! (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #2010
When I came out, it was first to my best friends at my lunch table. They were very supportive, as many of them were members of the LGBTQ+ community. After that, I started putting gay (you know: rainbow hearts, love is love pins, the like) on my backpack. I still hadn’t come out to my parents so they were a little surprised to see those pins on my bag. One day I walked in and my parents said they wanted to talk. I had been working up the courage to talk to them and tell them but it was right then I knew it was time to. I told them that I had realized that I liked both boys and girls and I hoped that they could accept me as I was. That when my mom told me that she was actually bisexual as well and that before she had met my dad, she went out with several women in college. That helped me know that I could trust my mom and my dad with anything I was feeling, about anyone, and I count them as not just my parents, but two of my best friends. (M/16/Bi)
Story #2008
When I came out, I was on a bus back from a trip with cadets, and I was sitting with one of my friends, and I just brought it up. I told her that I was bisexual, and she was very accepting. I had originally planned to come out as pansexual, but very few people in my community understand the difference between pan and bi, so I identify as bi to most people, but there are a few other LGBTQ+ people who do know that I’m actually pan. I do plan on explaining that I’m actually pansexual one day, but right now I just don’t have the confidence to do it. (F/15/Pansexual)