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)
Story #2011
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)