When I came out I was in 4th grade (I was 10) and my friends were creeped out but supportive. I had a crush on one of my friends and I told her. She just grinned and said, “Cool!” I got over her and the next year I got a major crush on my other friend. I told her and she rejected my friendship. Now I have a crush on my hot music teacher. (F/Lesbian)
Story #2054
When I came out, I did not plan it, but I came out to my best friend and then I came out to my dad. He told my mom and they kicked me out. Now I live with my girlfriend. (F/16/Bisexual)
Story #2053
When I came out I was at a political summer camp and I met two girls who both identified as gay. I thought they were really cool and smart and when they talked everyone listened, and I realized that being queer doesn’t stop you from being influential in politics. I talked to one of them and she hugged me and said she believed in me. On the train going home, I texted my friends this long text about how I was figuring out my sexuality. They all responded and said they loved me and I cried in the train. Pete Buttigieg dropped his campaign today and even though I am a Bernie supporter I am sad because I want a queer president so I guess I have to be the first. (F/16/Queer)
Story #2052
When I came out, my dad threw the vase of flowers I had just brought home from my first girlfriend across the room. I was petrified — he never acted that way. He wasn’t prepared; no one really was. A couple of my friends seemed to understand, or at least “love me through it”, but overall I wasn’t accepted for almost 4 years. Stay committed and stay strong. You’re never alone and the fight is so beyond worth it. Love whoever you love and do it with passion. Live your truth. (F/24/Pansexual)
Story #2050
When I came out I told my BFF (who is also bi) that I am attracted to both genders. She accepted me and helped me write a letter to my crush. My crush rejected. At first, I was sad. Then my bi friend told me that I was her crush. We are now girlfriends. I then told my dad. He is confused about my “choice”. I will soon come out to my mom (who is a lot stricter). Wish me luck (F/Bi)
Story #2048
When I came out, I had been hiding it for two years being bi a couple months before I came out I decided I was gay. I was on FaceTime with my girlfriend and she told me that either I was gonna tell my mom or she was so it was 9:45 pm. I texted my mom and told her I needed to talk to her. She came up to my room and I went blank. The first thing she asked was “Are you pregnant?” My immediate response was “It’s not possible in this case.” After a couple of minutes I finally said, “I’m gay.” She smiled and said she loved me. She told my dad for me and she said he saw it coming so he wasn’t surprised. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2042
When I came out the first time was to my parents. I told them I was bi, and they totally accepted me. Then I came out to someone who I thought was my friend, and she used every swear word and the F-slur at me. I also came out to my all-girls sleepaway camp. Then today I came out to my entire class. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2040
When I came out I first told my best friend that I trust the most that I’m bi and she took it so damn well; I was so happy. I told her that over a text, so the next day at school she just came to me and hugged me. My friends had been asking about my crush but I wasn’t ready to tell yet. It took a while and I told my crush that I was bi, and suddenly she just responded that she was bi too, so we came out to each other. A few days later I told her that I had feelings for her and she actually had some feelings for me too. It took a while and then I finally told my other best friend that I was bi and she said it was okay and nothing will change. For now I don’t really care who knows and who doesn’t. It doesn’t matter because my loved ones know so I don’t care about others’ opinions. (F/15/Bi)
Story #2039
When I came out I was 12. I didn’t really know what to think at the time; all I knew was that it was my first time in a locker room filled with other CUTE girls. I stood there looking at them but when they seen me looking I would turn away shyly; I would even pretend to talk to a friend just to walk around and look. Eventually someone realized I was looking at them and called me out on it, which of course drew a lot of attention to us; she wasn’t lying, though, because at the time I had a HUGE CRUSH on her. Of course I turned red, then everyone started laughing and calling me mean names as they are pushing my head into toilets and throwing me into lockers. Soon I received notes like “kill yourself” and things like that and I’m not gonna lie, I for real thought about it. I would try to drown myself in the bathtub but couldn’t muster up the courage. Soon my parents realized something was wrong, which of course I lied and said just a bad day because I know my parents won’t accept me and will try to fix me. To this day I will never tell my very religious parents and I continue to get bullied at school. (F/13/Gay?)
Story #2038
When I came out I was in 4th grade and my friends were grossed out. I have come out to my sister and now I just have to come out to my parents. (F/11/Lesbian)