When I first “came out” to my gay guy friend, he tried to convince me that I should come out to my mom. I told him I wanted to but I was really scared to do so. My parents are divorced so I don’t care if my dad knows. I chickened out on the idea of coming out to my mom and two years later she found out on her own. I’m bisexual, and my mom found out when I was 13, last year. She thinks it’s a phase but she still loves me. Then I came out with my best friend and she was super supportive and really awesome about it. I’m considering coming out to the world in 2020, so wish me luck! (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #2008
When I came out, I was on a bus back from a trip with cadets, and I was sitting with one of my friends, and I just brought it up. I told her that I was bisexual, and she was very accepting. I had originally planned to come out as pansexual, but very few people in my community understand the difference between pan and bi, so I identify as bi to most people, but there are a few other LGBTQ+ people who do know that I’m actually pan. I do plan on explaining that I’m actually pansexual one day, but right now I just don’t have the confidence to do it. (F/15/Pansexual)
Story #2005
When I came out, it was to a friend who is bisexual. We were speaking about crushes and I told her I like somebody in our choir class. Our choir class is all girls so she asked if I was bi. I said yes and she was like, “I knew it, my gaydar was on high alert”. Now I have to come out to my other friends and my mom. I am NOT looking forward to telling my mom (she scares me and has already threatened to disown for other reasons). (F/16/Bisexual)
Story #2004
When I came out that was the greatest feeling I have ever felt; I felt like I was finally out to who I am. I am studying in a convent. One of my besties is the sports head (V) of our school and the other one is the deputy head prefect (M). Suddenly it got revealed that our tycondo coach and one of our younger grade sisters are in a romantic relationship. M acted so homophobic and V was cool with it, and I came out to V and when I said it she told me that she was also lesbian. And she said she will be there for me no matter what it is. So I was relieved… (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #2001
When I came out, I was 14. I have only come out to like two people as of right now, but my best friend is gay and I have known about myself being bisexual for a long time, I just was too scared to come out. I texted my friend and I basically just told him that I’m bisexual and I haven’t told anyone and I’m scared to tell anyone because I’m super afraid of being bullied and also, my grandpa is a Baptist church pastor and Baptists don’t really agree with that kind of stuff. He was so supportive; he said, “I’m so sorry, honey, I really don’t know what to say. Just know that I love you anyway and if you ever need to talk abt it let me know. It is very hard to come out, don’t try to come out unless you’re sure.” I started crying and since then, I’ve made a lot more friends in the LGBTQ+ group. I manage soccer and he manages with me, the coach is lesbian, and two of the other managers are also bisexual, so I feel like I have a lot of support coming from the people who know. I just don’t feel like I can come out to my parents. (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #1999
When I came out to my friends it wasn’t super high stakes because like half of my lunch table is LGBTQIA+ and the rest either don’t really care about sexualities or are super supportive. I had already been questioning if I was bi but nope I’m a lesbian!! My ace friend is getting me a flag on amazon cuz I obviously can’t ask my parents for it yet cuz I’m not out to them. I’m hoping once the flag comes I can be a dramatic girl and come out of the closet (literally) wearing my pride flag when my parents get home! (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #1998
When I came out as lesbian to my mom, she was very accepting of my identity and shared this information with some of my family. When I answered a call from my sister (who’s bisexual) later that month, she greeted me with “Congratulations on coming ooouuut!” I was fine with my mom telling people about my sexual orientation, but the one person I did not want finding out was my dad, since he was a little homophobic. When my mom told him, I was panicking really hard and frankly even a little angry with her, but then she told me that he went to a Pride Parade after learning I was gay just so he could understand and support the LGBT+ a little better. My dad has some homophobic views, yes, but his love for his daughter won out over that, and I was incredibly happy to hear that. I have not come out to everyone I know yet, but I’ll know when the time is right. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1996
When I came out it was first to my best friend who has lesbian parents so I knew she’d be accepting. We were walking around her neighbourhood and we sat on a bench and I finally worked up the courage to tell her: “You know how you asked me if I liked anyone but didn’t specify the gender? Well, it was a girl.” She was obviously very accepting and later came out to me. She is helping me come out to even more people and is still my best friend. (F/Gay)
Story #1995
When I came out, I was sitting in church at a Christian youth camp together with a friend. My sexuality had been on my mind for most of the week and at a certain moment I couldn’t hold it in any longer; after the service I asked my friend for a hug and broke down crying. In tears, I told her that I thought I might be into girls and she reacted very positively. I repeated this the next day with a guy I had met on that camp, who then came out to me as well! It was a great relief to finally be able to talk about it, especially with someone who was in the same boat as me. (F/19/Bi)
Story #1990
When I came out I was 27 and in an online long-distance relationship with a man whom I was about to meet for the first time in two years (no video chat back then). Feeling confused and trapped at the thought of an IRL interaction, I first told my counselor (who is lesbian) hoping she would help me figure out what was wrong with me but surprisingly, she mocked me. So, upon the return of a blunderingly exhausting trip of avoiding his advances in every way and once again being able to hide behind the safety of my computer monitor, I ungracefully told him that I was attracted to a whole list of actresses and cowardly asked if he understood what that meant. Obviously he got very angry, told me I was wasting his time, that the last two years had meant nothing, and that I was not trying hard enough to love him. We never spoke again but I hope he found real love and is happy. (F/50/Lesbian)