When I came out as a lesbian I did it through a letter to a close friend. I was extremely nervous and it took me close to ten minutes to just hit the send button even though I know it would be fine. She’s really accepting, and she doesn’t care at all. I’m more concerned about the rest of my friends, though, because of all of them being rather homophobic. Oh well. Wish me luck! (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2104
When I came out I felt like it was impossible to say the words. I just told my mum that I had to tell her something and then couldn’t get a word out. She eventually said, “Just come out and say it” so I laughed (through my tears) saying that she just made a pun and I let her figure it out on her own. She was accepting and I’m proud of who I am. Every day it gets easier to say those words: I’m gay. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2103
When I came out to my mom I was 9, and I thought I was bi. We were driving home from my soccer practice, and it just slipped out. She didn’t really react, but she makes a lot of jokes about it now. About a year later I had yet to crush on a boy, and I realized I was probably lesbian. I never told her that straightforward (haha now I’m doing it too) but I think she gets the memo. Last night though, I woke up from a dream where I came out to everybody I know as pan, and I’m thinking that I might actually be pan and I’ve just never been attracted to anybody but girls. I guess I’m just gonna have to reevaluate myself or something. (F/12/Questioning)
Story #2101
When I came out, my friends were all really supportive (thankfully). My best friend is straight. I figured out I liked girls when my other friend came out as bi, and I had a crush on her (I still do, ack). My parents don’t know, but I came out to my other friends as asexual but didn’t get a chance to tell them I was also biromantic. The good thing about that is that they won’t nag me about who I like. (F/13/Asexual biromantic)
Story #2100
When I came out to my dad, I was honestly so scared. I have been planning it for months but every time I tried to do it I freaked out. So today I sent him a gif via text of my favorite artist saying “i like women and men” with a little paragraph. He just said: “i don’t mind it, i just want you to be happy” and then he came upstairs a few minutes later and said he already knew it and asked why I didn’t say it in real life. We didn’t hug or anything but I’m so happy it’s positive. (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #2098
When I came out, I had been questioning for a while. We were playing truth or dare and my friend asked me if I liked boys… when I didn’t respond, she texted me “If it makes you feel better, I’m not exactly straight either so congrats you know something :)” So I told her that I was bi and she accepted me 🙂 (F/Bi)
Story #2097
When I came out to my parents as bi, they weren’t at all happy with it. I knew before then that they had their own opinion on the LGBTQ+ community, and on top if it, are religious. This happened when I was 13, and the backlash hurt so bad emotionally, that I immediately went back into the closet. As a 14-year-old going to be 15 in a few, I learned to definitely be aware of who I come out to first before jumping right in. I identify as Queer/Questioning now. (F/14/Queer)
Story #2095
When I came out, it was to five of my friends in the back of a bus after we had been out all day together. I don’t know what led me to do it, I think we were just telling each other secrets or something, you know, as teenage girls do. I basically said that I didn’t mind any gender in a relationship, and that I could be attracted to people of any gender. They weren’t surprised at my confession, and they fully supported and accepted me. That was nearly a year ago now. Since then, three of those five people that I first came out to, are now out of the closet as well (one as gay, two as bisexual). (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #2094
When I first came out it was a few days after my best friend, and all of my friends were super cool with it. I told my mom, and she’s fine, and I’m planning on telling my dad soon (my parents are divorced) but I’m super nervous. I think he will be good with it though. (F/13/Bi)
Story #2092
When I came out, I was in a meeting with one of my teachers. She looked at me and told me she was so proud of me and that I should never be ashamed for who I am. She gave me a bunch of resources that she had used in the past and got me connected to several community groups. She told me to call her any time and would stand by my side even if my parents didn’t support me in my decision. (F/17/Asexual/gay)