When I came out I had my friend up for a sleepover and after a while I said, “Let’s go explore in the woods,” so we went in and I was like, “I need to tell you something,” and she said, “What?” I just flat out said, “I’m Bi.” She was so nice and accepting and she told me she was Bi too. (F/12/Bisexual)
Story #1912
When I came out, my friend said she didn’t think I was actually asexual. She said I was too young to know, and I might not have just had sexual attraction yet. That really hurt me, and I had and still have anxiety and self-doubt about my identity. My other two friends who were there accepted me, but I’m scared to come out to anyone again. (F/14/Asexual/panromantic)
Story #1911
When I came out I did it through a spoken word poem that I presented to my classmates. It was a nerve-wracking experience but everybody congratulated me and said they really loved it. (F)
Story #1906
When I came out I was not too prepared, as I was originally going to tell only one friend. The other three I was with came over and so l thought, now or never. I decided to have a bit of fun and build my confidence so I played a guessing game. Eventually one said, “Oh, so you’re gay?” So I nodded. One of my other friends is homophobic so I can’t tell her. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1905
When I came out, I had been dating this girl for a month, and my mother decided to check my messages (she was paying for my phone)… and she saw my text messages for the last 4 days. She was supporting and caring about it… howeeeeveeeer, my mother had me break up with her and I explained to my girlfriend what happened and she understood. I’m not allowed to have my phone back till I have my mom’s trust (I’ve been distant). (F/12/Lesbian/Nonbinary(I have not told my mom yet TwT))
Story #1903
When I came out sophomore year of high school, it wasn’t something I planned for, but rather something my parents found out about on their own by way of a love letter. As strong Christians, they were extremely offended, warning me that I would be sent to Hell for my feelings and threatening to send me to conversion camp, have meetings with church leaders and attend therapy to fix my “illness”. Due to everything surrounding this, I ultimately made the choice to throw myself back into a closeted lifestyle for the remainder of my time spent living at home. However, as I still maintain contact with the same girl with which this all began, I plan to move out for college and reunite with her. My only worry now is rehashing the sexuality conversation with my parents and the idea of them disowning me because of who I choose to be with… (F/18/Demiromantic bisexual)
Story #1901
When I came out for the first time, I was at a sleepover with two of my best friends. They had gotten in a fight for some reason I can’t remember, and one of them, we’ll call her E, was sobbing next to me while the other one, who we’ll call A, went outside. I don’t remember all the details since its been over a year now, but we started talking about our personal issues and I ended up blurting out that I was gay. Luckily she’s very accepting and she even told me she was bi too! Like I said, it’s been over a year now and I’ve came out to all of my close friends personally, and posted a coming out post on Instagram to come out to other people that I don’t talk to that much 🙂 (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #1900
When I came out, I was lucky enough to be supported by almost everyone. One of my best friends and I were figuring out our sexualities at the same time, around our last year of high school, and when she came out to me as bi, it gave me the final push to realise I was bi too. I told my sister and friends first, then my parents a couple of months later, when the new year came around. I got into college already comfortable with my identity, met an amazing group of friends who are mostly LGBTQA+, and finally, three years ago, I posted a long statement to my Facebook profile on Pride Day, which was an indirect way to come out to my distant relatives and acquaintances. I think coming out is a process that never really ends, as you meet new people and get into new environments throughout your life, but my experiences have been very positive so far, and I know the allies I have met along the way will help make it even easier every time I have to do it again in the future. (F/21/Bi demiromantic)
Story #1896
When I came out it was because my mom asked about what made me decide to get my hair cut the way it is. I told her the truth because I didn’t wanna keep it in anymore. I had talked to my favorite teacher (rossy ik ur reading this lmao) earlier that week & he helped me realize who I was. But anyways, my mom didn’t say anything against it but idk if she would be considered accepting. She basically just said things that made it seem like I was confused & wanted attention & that she has had times where she thought a girl was attractive & that just because I had bad experiences with guys didn’t mean I was a lesbian. She told me that she didn’t care who I love & if I truly was a lesbian then she’d accept it. I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. (F/17/Lesbian/Gay)
Story #1892
When I came out to my community as a whole (I was already out to a few friends, who were bi themselves), I was a freshman in college. One friend messaged the group chat, saying, “I had a dream last night that [me] was gay!” I just replied, “Can confirm, am gay.” Everyone took it well, since the group was already probably about 50% LGBTQ+. (F/19/Lesbian)