When I came out, I was 16, my exam results had just come out and I had done exceptionally well. I ended up having a breakdown because I felt like I was finally doing something right for the first time and making my mom proud, but I was still hiding a significant part of me. I felt like a fraud so I went out and got a piercing and texted my mum. I still haven’t come out to anyone else because I don’t like the idea of having to confess; it seems like admitting something shameful to me. One day I would like to just bring a girl along and be like , “This is my girl.” (F/19/Bi)
Story #1815
When I came out I was about 14, and it was to a couple of friends at the school I go to. I had started taking a Creative Writing class a week or two ago and decided to write a poem for them to read. I handed it to them without saying anything and just let them read it. I didn’t know what to do with myself so I just awkwardly stood there while they read it. It wasn’t like a big group thing, I just kind of found some of my friends while they were alone and gave them the poem. They were all really shocked, I guess, except for one person who somehow had a feeling, and I clearly remember one person gasping, “Really?” And I just quietly mumbled, “Yeah.” (F/15/Gay)
Story #1814
When I came out to my very conservative gran (I was already out to everyone else) I told her I was a lesbian and my girlfriend was going to be at an event we were going to the next day. She isn’t homophobic but has this idea of me marrying a rich man and having children, so boy was she shocked. She then proceeded to tell me I would grow out of it, blah blah blah. I don’t really care about her reaction; she wants me to be happy and I am. She will adapt. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1813
When I came out I was very nervous. I was 14 years old and in school at that time. At the time I had four friends whom I knew from elementary school. When I dared to come out, three of them made vulgar comments and went to the other end of the school. I started to cry. Only one of my friends was standing next to me. I said she could walk away like the others, but she supports me, so I cried even more. (F/17/Biromantic)
Story #1811
When I came out to my friends, they were really supportive, for the most part. (One of them even ultimately became my girlfriend! :)) But one friend said that homosexuality was against her religion, and she didn’t want to associate with me anymore. I didn’t care, but then she threatened to tell my parents. I had already told my dad, who was supportive, but my mom is extremely homophobic; so I still have to come out to my mom… (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #1809
When I came out to my family last year, they were very supportive. Now it’s a completely different story. My mom acts like she doesn’t know and then makes comments about how I shouldn’t date girls and just preserve a friendship instead. I really hope she can learn to fully accept me soon. (F/15/Bi)
Story #1807
When I came out, it was unplanned. I started by telling a couple of my friends, then I just started randomly bringing it up in conversation with my less close friends. Then one night, my parents were pestering me about having so many male friends, and I was tired of it, so I just said I was gay. After that, I just started being totally open about it, even though I hadn’t told everyone. Whatever, if they know, they know, right? (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1806
When I came out to my closet friends and eventually my parents, I could literally feel the earth beneath me shaking. I am from India, a modern yet conservative and traditional society with lots of religious skepticism of burning in hell, societies eyeball rolling, and parents’ fear of my choices bringing shame to the family no matter how educated and knowledgable they are. So it has been half a decade now of me going through this phase of doubts, shame, fear, non-acceptance, anxiety, and then finally courage, grit, and love. Long story short, with amazing friends who were as ignorant as me when we started this journey, but nevertheless loved me and accepted me for who I am, parents who had it very hard initially but later chose to love their daughter beyond fear, and the love of my life who is the pillar and support day in-day out, here I am. After a tough yet educational journey for me and other people in my life, love won and I proudly love myself for who I am and am grateful for the beautiful and blessed partner in this lifetime. Life is a journey of discovering our own truths and no matter how scared we are to confront the truth, as it is very hard in the beginning, we are all God’s children and it is a true homage to the Creator to live by it. (F/28/Lesbian)
Story #1805
When I came out to one of my friends, he came out to me. It was a huge relief to have someone to talk to openly. The night I came out to him I could not stop shaking and thinking about coming out to my parents. I drafted an email, which I sent the next morning while I was out of the house. They were really accepting in front of me, though my dad privately sought therapy to process the new information. (F/Gay)
Story #1803
When I came out to my mom, I left a letter on her bed right before I left for my dad’s house. She read it and sent me a text the next day saying that she loved me no matter what. She was very hurt that I didn’t tell her earlier, but she was very accepting of who I am. I’m so glad I decided to come out! (F/Pansexual)