When I came out at the age of 15, things got a bit chaotic. My stepdad was a conservative man who worked in the business industry and when I told him I was lesbian, he was upset and didn’t talk to me for the next two or three weeks. My mom, on the other hand, was super supportive because she was bisexual. After a few years, I identified as panromantic and my stepdad just lost it and severed ties with me. My mom supports me to this very day, though. (F/29/Panromantic)
Story #2553
When I came out early 2020 I was about 14 years old. I had told my aunt. She was not fond of the idea; she didn’t think it was right for a male to transition to a female. I have had it rough even till this day. It hurts really bad but I know in my heart that I can overcome this pain and I will do it by myself like I have been. It’s so rare for trans girls where I am from to really care about me but I’ll survive (F/17/Transgender)
Story #2548
When I came out “unoffically” my parents checked my computer one night after a teacher complained at school because of me reading a lesbian wattpad story and saw lesbian tiktoks and videos in my search history. They were confused and I’m not sure if they support me as they are heavily Christian and don’t believe in it. I like a girl at our school (which is also a Christian school) and some teacher complained about us touching in class even though straight couples kiss in our class all the time. I feel unaccepted anywhere I go except when I’m playing sports. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2547
When I came out to my parents in middle school as just gay (they don’t know terms) they were somewhat supportive, but my dad was not sure. He went on a walk with me and basically said you’re probably not gay, because you are just desperate to fit in and your friends are gay so you think you are. I believed him, and so during lockdown I went back to “being straight” and then I had to re-come out to myself in high school. I now understand myself more and I have come out to a few close friends, who have all been super supportive of me. They are even helping me with my crush right now!!! I am going to ask her to prom 🙂 (F/17/Biromantic asexual)
Story #2542
When I came out, my dad was full of anger. (My mom passed away when I was 12.) He kept calling me a disgrace to our family and that I was a mistake. I was heartbroken because I thought being bisexual would be OK to my dad, which now I know it isn’t. My dad still doesn’t support me and always talks bad about me to his friends and our family members. After a few months, I couldn’t hold my anger anymore and I confronted my dad and told him that HE was a disgrace for being hateful and rude. Me and my dad got into a heated argument that night, so I packed my things and I went to my grandparents’ (they live in the next neighborhood) and stayed the night there. My grandparents are extremely supportive and caring, so they were enraged when they found out what my dad said about me. To this day, me and my dad still don’t get along and every time I think about what happened, I burst into tears. Nowadays, I try my best to ignore my father. It hurts but I don’t want to ruin our bond even further. (F/16/Bisexual)
Story #2541
When I came out it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I came out during covid (which was dumb) and I was almost 18 years old. I knew my parents were homophobic but I had hope that they would love me for who I was. Well, how wrong was I. I came out and my brother didn’t have a reaction and my dad went along with what my mom said. This means my mom is the most homophobic person I know and up to this day (almost 4/5 years later) she always has a way to make a homophobic comment. Every day these take a piece out of me. I still live with them (I should be grateful that they didn’t kick me out) but I am paying the price over the years and it is taking a little of me every day. (F/22/Lesbian)
Story #2527
When I came out I was 14. I had the day off of school, and I guess my grandmother was trying to bond with me while my mom was at work, so she asked if I wanted to play a game. I said yes, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Of course she grabbed Life off of the shelf since it was my favorite game as a kid. When I was really young, my dad married a man in the game (even though he is straight), and I figured I could marry a woman to not-so-subtly hint to my VERY conservative grandmother that I liked girls. We started playing the game and when I landed on the space that said I had to get married, instead of saying I wanted to stay single like I usually do, I put a little pink person in the passenger seat next to me. She stared at me, and I just looked her dead in the eyes. Finally, she broke the silence by saying, “(My full name), did you just marry a woman?” I just said yeah, and she frowned. (She bought me a rainbow pin so I think she’s finally used to it.) (F/18/Lesbian)
Story #2525
When I came out was when I brought my “best friend” (Indie) home for dinner. Later, we went into the movie room and we just happened to be kissing when my dad walked in. I was so embarrassed, but he just laughed and smiled and said, “You do you. You need to tell your mom about this.” I nodded and as Indie held my hand, I told my parents: “Mom, Dad, I’m lesbian. I like girls. This is my girlfriend Indie. She’s awesome. And I love her.” At this point I was sobbing, but what my mom did shocked me. She ran over and hugged me and told me how proud she was of me and how she would always support me. I felt so special. I am so happy I have an awesome girlfriend and loving parents! (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2524
When I came out, I had only told close friends and few family members. I worked at a job that is mostly female and lived in a conservative town, so of course I would hear them all talk about their boy crushes. Often times I felt uncomfortable because I was afraid of them asking me about mine. Then one day it happened, and I decided to be brave. I replied, “I’ll think on it and give you a list.” I wrote down 3 women and gave it to her. She wrote me a note back saying, “HOT! They’re all so… yes!” It made my day. (F/17/Lesbian/sapphic)
Story #2520
When I came out to my roommate the other night, I was really worried about how this could change our friendship. I’m 20 years old and it was my first coming out. I’ve known for 6 years but only recently felt safe and brave enough to actually talk about my feelings. I’m glad I did come out to her because it feels like I’m finally breaking free, and she assured me that she’s going to accept me no matter what. (F/20/Lesbian)