When I came out I was about 14. I knew that I liked girls at the age of 12 but my family has strong religious beliefs so I knew telling them wasn’t an option. I had later decided that I was just going to disregard my attraction to girls and focus on men because at the time I thought I was bi. This was very hard on my mental health so when I was 14 I decided to tell my friends. I knew they wouldn’t care but I was just so uncomfortable talking about it that I never actually came out and said it. I just made jokes that would hint at my sexuality and I would talk about my female celebrity crushes a lot. This led to my friends asking if I was bi to which I then replied yes and they were so supportive and accepting. Now at 18 realized that I am actually gay and for the first time in my life I’m proud of it. I have yet to tell my parents but I am working on that soon. (F/18)
Story #2205
When I came out my mom looked at me and said that I’m not her daughter anymore and kicked my ass out of the house. Pls for all the closeted people pls don’t come out with homophobic parents! (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2203
When I came out it was very tough for me and my family. Everybody I was really close with turned their backs on me. People I loved thought I was joking. They say that I don’t know what I want in my life. It hurt me so bad to hear the people I love say that. I cried for hours because I had nobody; everybody left me, which hurt me very badly, but I got through it. Now I’m stronger than ever. They helped me a lot and they will eventually come to me and we will be a happy family again. (F)
Story #2201
When I came out I was at my grandparents’ house. My granny was talking about how “all gays go to hell, ” so I got up and walked away. My dad asked where I was going and I replied with “to hell, apparently.” (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2198
When I came out I told my close friend, who told me she was too, which had confused me. Surprisingly most of my friends were supportive, but a year later I told my homophobic grandparents who I was living with at the time and they kicked me out. I have lived with my bisexual stepmom and dad who love me to death. In the greater end everything was ok! (F/13/Bi) 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈💓💜💙
Story #2195
When I came out my mom was accepting! I have not told my dad yet, but I did tell my friend and he’s fine with it! I just wish my uncle and aunt and their kids weren’t homophobic… (F/12/Bisexual)
Story #2192
When I came out to my sister two months ago, she kind of just shrugged it off at first. She then squealed and hugged me saying that she already knew and kind of guessed it. She’s had my back since then and I’m lucky to have her! She’s 11 now and loves drawing Pride art for me. (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2188
When I came out to my sister, she actually took it pretty well. She is 10 years old (two younger than me) and I called her into my room. I explained to her what LGBTQ+ was, and then explained that I was Pan. She just blankly stared at me for 10 nerve-racking seconds and then shrugged and told me ok, and promised not to tell anyone. She is the only one I have come out to. Sometimes she gives Gay characters in shows flack. If I hear her say anything disrespectful, I hide ONE of her socks 😀 (F/12/Pansexual, still figuring myself out)
Story #2187
When I came out I was 12 (only 2 weeks ago) and I had been worrying about it for months! My parents were thinking about separating, and my dad had come to tell me and my sister that he was maybe going to move out west. I asked to talk to him alone, so my sister went to bed. I just sat there for 10 minutes, hyperventilating, and then I told him I was bi. I didn’t want to explain what pan was. And he was SUPER supportive! I said that I needed him to stay with us, and not move. I didn’t sleep the whole night. The next day I told my mom. She was like, “Aw honey! That’s great!” And then she went on to tell me about a bisexual love triangle that she had been in with my dad and his friend! So I ended up saving my parents’ marriage with my sexuality! (F/12)
Story #2186
When I came out, me and my close friend were doing art challenge (drawing a character based on yourself). There was a text saying “If you are LGBT+ do your character curly hair”, so I did. When I showed her my drawing, she showed me hers. Her character had a curly hair too! There was a couple seconds of silence and then she asked me, do I want to talk about it. I said I am not really sure who I like, but I’m definitely not straight. She said she knows how I feel, because she feels the same way. I was so happy to know that there are more people like me. That I am not the only one who struggles with my sexuality. (F/14/Questioning)