When I came out it was just yesterday. I had been coming to terms with my sexuality for quite some time and I finally could confidently look in the mirror and say, “That girl is gay.” I had been trying to tell so many of my friends for so long and then I remembered a while ago one of my friends had said one quick casual sentence about not knowing her sexuality, so me and her (she is also my crush) were at theatre practice and I told her, “I have something to tell you” and it took me so long to just spit it out, telling her, “I don’t know if it’s a phase or what but I know what I’m feeling right now, and that feeling is gay.” She immediately hugged me, said that it would be okay, then she said that she thinks she might be bi and soon we were both crying our eyes out. (F/13/Lesbian/queer)
Story #2029
When I came out I was 15 and had just gotten a haircut, and one of my mother’s friends (rude friend, I may add) commented that I looked like a lesbian. So I looked up, grinned, and said she wasn’t that far off, shocked both her and my mother. Honestly don’t regret it. (F/17/Pansexual)
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 #2025
When I came out I was shaking. My mom had been constantly talking to me about boys and dating and every time she was talking to me about it I wanted to tell her, but I was too nervous. Today, she talked to me about it over text and I gained the nerve to tell her that I just don’t like boys. Thankfully she said she doesn’t care. Unfortunately, she said that I still might like them. (F/17/Lesbian)
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 #2021
When I came out I was 14. I felt guilty because most of my friends were homophobic. I did it in person and surprisingly they all said they were here for me. Another one of my friends came out as bi right after me, which was unplanned. I feel so much more like myself, now that I’m out. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #2020
When I came out it was after I got out of a mental hospital, in April 2019, for trying to kill myself for being molested and abused. I realized I liked girls, one in particular. That girl happened to be my best friend from elementary school. I told her how I felt about her and she said she had a girlfriend and I respected that and was okay with just being friends. But she disowned me for being gay and left me when I needed her most. Still haven’t found anyone but I’m cool with waiting for her to come. (F/15)
Story #2015
When I came out I was 11; I’m now 12. People say I’m confused, and that it’s a phase. I’ve known I was a lesbian for years now but was too afraid to come out. My family is very religious (Catholic) and extremely homophobic. My mother mocked me daily after my “coming out” and my parents divorced because my father didn’t want a lesbian daughter. My classmates supported me unconditionally and my teacher even set up a pride group! I even have a girlfriend now and I pretty much live at her house. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2013
When I came out, I wrote a letter with my parents explaining that I wasn’t straight because I was too scared to do it in person. They reacted by writing me a letter back and putting it on my bed. It said that they loved and supported me, and while reading it burst into tears of relief. (F/13)
Story #2012
When I came out to my mom it was two weeks before Christmas. I told her I was pansexual and she asked me what that meant. After I told her what it meant she told me that she loves me no matter what and as long as I was happy she would be okay with it. I told my brother before anyone else; he told me that he didn’t care as long as I was happy he was okay with it. He also told me that I would still be his sister no matter who I loved. I told my sister after my mom; she said she always that she knew and that she still loved me the same. I haven’t told my dad though; one day I will tell him and the rest of my family that I’m pansexual but that’s nowhere near soon. (F/13/Pansexual)