When I came out my family accepted it but didn’t like it. They love me and they accept me but we never speak of it and they very quickly stopped asking me about the romantic parts of my life. But I found more family that just happens to not be blood related. I found my lgbt family. Not only do they love and unconditionally accept me but they encourage me to talk about my fears, my loves and everything in my heart. And I unconditionally love them and with them I’ve been happier than ever. (F/50/Lesbian)
Story #2108
When I came out it was to my mum. I told her I had something to tell her. We sat down and I realised how scared I was. I was crying and when I finally told her she said she didn’t mind and was really supportive. It was such a weight off my shoulders and now I have to work on telling my dad and sister. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2107
When I came out to my brother today, it was entirely spontaneous and unplanned. I knew he would be supportive, I wasn’t worried about that, I just hadn’t felt ready to admit it to anyone yet. I asked him if he would tell our grandparents if he dated anyone of the same gender (he’s bicurious) and he said yes. He asked me if I would; I said that I don’t think I would. He asked if there was a possibility of that happening. I shut the door and just admitted everything: “Yeah, had my first crush on a girl when I was in year 7, and I think I’ve always liked them like that”. He said he wasn’t surprised and had always wondered. We laughed about it for a minute or two and then my mom walked in so we dropped the convo. I feel confused about it all, but like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel proud. (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #2106
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)