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)
Story #2037
When I came out, I texted my (at the time) best friend and told her I was bi. She jokingly texted back, “lets date lol,” then “r u actually tho” and I told her I was. When I asked if she actually wanted to date, she said she thought I was super cute and amazing, but she wasn’t quite ready for that and we could still be friends. But one night, I went to stay at her house and had to leave early and she just stopped responding to my texts and calls. I don’t know what to do or how to get her to like me again. (F/Bi)
Story #2035
When I came out, I first came out to my friends. I was in 8th grade but I had really started questioning when I was in 7th grade. When I told my friends they were all cool with it because most of my friends are LGBT. I just recently came out to my mom and her fiancé. It was the scariest thing ever; my mom’s fiancé claimed he already knew. My mom just asked a lot of questions and I was fine with that. I have a grandfather that I am really close with but I don’t think I will ever come out to him because he is very homophobic and is very out about it. (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2034
When I came out I was terrified. I asked my best friend to go to breakfast, and planned to tell her then. Throughout he meal, I sat there shaking and sweating on the verge of a panic attack at the thought of telling her this secret I had kept hidden for so long. I put it off until we were outside and about to leave, but I told her and she told me nothing changed. Due to her Christianity, I thought she might not accept me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Telling her lifted a weight off my shoulders and helped in reducing my panic attacks. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2033
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)