When I came out, I told my best friend I was bi. After years of constant tears and struggling with who I am, she yanked it out of me. As the words came out, that overwhelming feeling of sadness and anxiety vanished. I finally felt like I could breathe. I was free and happy. Over time I told many more friends and my parents. I would always begin crying, scared of rejection, but end in relief and happiness. I know that I am not bi, but a lesbian. I need to learn to accept myself as others have accepted me. (F/21/Lesbian)
Story #1956
When I came out I clapped my hands to “If you’re gay and you know it, clap your hands.” My friends didn’t believe me at first but I confirmed it. I was unable to focus on the rest of my classes, but I am now relieved. I plan on telling more of my friends soon. (F/14/Gay/lesbian)
Story #1955
When I came out I was at a new friend’s house with my best friend. I had fallen in love with her and even kissed her as a “bet you won’t” kind of thing. At this new friend’s house we ended up making out because we couldn’t sleep and I had kissed her again. In the middle of it I asked her if it was a bad time to tell her I was bisexual. Four days later we started dating. (F/15/Bisexual)
Story #1953
When I came out to my friend, he was super cool about it. Then I told my sister and she seemed okay with it, she kinda expected it. But when I came out to my mom and psychologist, they denied it and said that I am going through a phase. My mom spoke to me in the car recently and said that I was too stressed to have an orientation, and said I will only know when I have my first kiss. I snapped and told her that she was the one who was stressed, not me, I finally accepted myself and built up so much courage, which she easily took down. It still hurts. (F/13/Bisexual)
Story #1949
When I came out to my parents (about half a year ago now) it wasn’t planned. I’d been planning for several years to go to a university of technology, so I’d often heard jokes about there being so many boys that they’d be fighting about me. Then one day we were in the kitchen preparing dinner, talking/joking about what I did at school when I wasn’t paying attention. My dad said, “Talking with your friends about boys you like” and I said, “About that; I’m a lesbian.” They were surprised (so much that some of the food got burnt :p) but supporting, my mother hugged me and said she’s proud. (F/18/Lesbian)
Story #1947
When I came out I told my new best friend I’m 50% sure I like girls. She was okay with it and said her sister was too and told me it was good I came out. A year later I am preparing an English presentation and I’m about to tell about 30 students I’m gay and I’m not ashamed! (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1946
When I came out to my swim coach, I was really nervous and when I told him I was bi (at the time, now I’m Pan) he said “I know” and I didn’t even know what else to say. (F/15)
Story #1945
When I came out, my best friend and I were eating lunch in the middle of the crowded cafeteria. I couldn’t tell anyone else I was a lesbian, because my family is not exactly accepting, but I felt suffocated with my secret. I told him under my breath, giggling with nervousness, and at the fact that I was doing this in the middle of lunch. He laughed and told me he supported me, and we moved on. I was the first person he came out as gay to, so it felt very full circle for him to be the first person I came out to. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1944
When I came out I was 15. It was to my best friend. I thought I was Bi and she came out to me too. But at that time I was still going to high school in a small town, and I was with a family that wouldn’t have been supportive. So I didn’t tell anyone until I got to college, where I came out as Bi again, to my best friend and then later my adopted family. But then, after starting to date a girl, I realized I was a lesbian. I only surround myself with people who support me now, because for a long time I was around people who didn’t. (F/20/Lesbian)
Story #1940
When I came out, I was eating with my mum. We had a huge fight about why gay people have a bit of freedom now and why there isn’t a straight pride month or parade… I honestly regret coming out to her. She apparently keeps forgetting I’m a lesbian too cause all she asks me about is boys and gets really quiet and mad when I talk about my girlfriend. I may just go back into the closet. (F/12/Lesbian)