When I came out to my family, I was in an arranged marriage with my husband. I didn’t feel very comfortable when I was young and I was living in an unaccepting family even though I hadn’t come out, yet . I had a friend who was trans and they would never call them by their real name and they eventually banned me from talking about them. When I got older I ignored my feelings but once I had my second child I was really feeling out of place. I talked to one of my distant cousins who was gay. I figured out my real feelings and in my realization, I had an affair with one of my lesbian friends from college. When my husband found out he was very angry but also understanding about my sexuality and later came out as pan. This was a very emotional time of my life but I eventually got through it and married the woman of my dreams (college wifey). (F/56/Lesbian)
Story #2461
When I came out, I was in a chicken coop. (Don’t ask.) I told my closest friends and they were all super cool about it. I’m pretty sure some of them knew already! Later, I taped a sapphic pride sticker to my school computer and someone noticed. She asked me what the flag was and I explained it to her, to which she responded, ‘So you’re questioning but you like woman?’ I smiled and said, ‘Couldn’t have said it better.’ (F/12/Sapphic)
Story #2456
When I came out my friends and I were walking through the halls of our school. I already knew they were both bisexual so I knew I could trust them. They were so supportive about it. I go to church and I have friends at my school that go to the same church so I didn’t want to tell them. One day I was talking with my friends (my church friends were there) and someone brought up the topic about being part of the LGBTQ+ community. One of my friends asked me, “Aren’t you bi?” I panicked because my church friends were there. I said, “Well yeah, but I don’t want my parents to find out.” They were all super supportive about it and I think i might tell my parents. (F/12/Bisexual)
Story #2451
When I came out to my two best friends they were totally cool with it. I was scared they might be weird about it or hate me, but they just asked some questions and said they still loved me. I haven’t told my parents, but I’m going to soon. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2449
When I came out, it was first to one of my closest friends, in January, and I was a stuttering mess; very embarrassing. She just smiled, and we continued with our day (I don’t believe she understood what I said since I was mumbling and stuttering). I came out properly to her last month. I came out to most of my friends and they’ve all been accepting since pretty much all my friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and it made me really happy. I came out to my mom and she is supporting, but doesn’t understand too well. I might come out to my sister and dad during pride month, but who knows. (F/13/Aroace [aromantic greysexual])
Story #2444
When I came out for the first time, I was a sophomore in college. I was really drunk and hadn’t even fully admitted it to myself yet, but it felt so good to have a space where people and didn’t treat me any differently. Now, four years later, I came out to my religious family. My siblings were really supportive, but I think my parents are struggling with it. I can tell they’re trying to understand and love me anyway, but it really hurt me to hear them talk about their beliefs that being gay is “just as bad” as being a thief or an abuser. (F/22/Bisexual)
Story #2443
When I came out it was in the middle of a mental breakdown. My friends and brother had known beforehand, but I was too scared to tell my parents. When I finally did, they accepted me for who I am and understood not to tell my extended family (homophobia). I am coming out to my extended family soon. Wish me luck! (F/Bisexual or lesbian)
Story #2434
When I came out to one of my best friends, it was simpler than I expected. She had asked me if I was straight and I’d said no. She asked what I identified as and I told her I didn’t know, even though I most definitely knew. I waited until I felt more comfortable to tell her that I identified as pan. She was identifying as bisexual at the time, but my coming out to her made her realize that she preferred the label pansexual as well. (F/Pansexual)
Story #2433
When I came out, my little sister was the first person I told. I was kind of nervous because I thought she would accept me but I wasn’t sure. I had been talking about the LGBTQ+ community around her, letting her get used to the idea and seeing if she was cool with it. One day, I decided to go for it. I told her I identified as pansexual, and she thought for a really long time. The question she generated in that amount of time was: “Does that mean you’re non-binary too?” I laughed, and I explained to her that I’m not non-binary, only pansexual. She seemed to understand everything, and I’m happy that she turned out to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She even makes small LGBTQ+ related jokes sometimes, just to make me smile. I couldn’t have asked for a more accepting sister. (F/13/Pansexual)
Story #2432
When I came out, I told my friends and parents as soon as I realized, which took me about 3 years to fully understand. I texted my best friend and I asked her, if I’m dreaming about kissing a girl and going out with her, I probably like her, right? She said yes, so I went downstairs and told my parents, who were very accepting (my mom is bi too). There are sometimes people at school who ask if I’m gay, and sometimes I don’t know how to answer, so I stare at them blankly, but I’m working on telling more people, and so far I’ve told several close friends who have all been very supportive. I’m so grateful I am surrounded by such loving people! (F/13/Bisexual)