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)
Story #1802
When I came out, I told a friend that I’m lesbian and I have a crush on her. She was supportive, but also replied with “sorry but I’m not lesbian” and she hasn’t answered my texts since. I’m kind of afraid to come out to other people, though I think I’ve already made the biggest step in telling my crush. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1800
When I came out it ruined so much of my life. My parents don’t accept it, and honestly they’ve ruined my mental health. It hurts me everyday to know that they will never love me for who I am. Thank god for the supportive people in my life that helped me get through it… (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #1799
When I came out to my mom, I was random. I took a photo on Snapchat, edited it saying “[my name] = [gay flag]” and sent it to her. And now she’s happy as she can embarrass me about boys and girls and she now has an excuse to go to pride. But, my dad is super religious so, I’ll see what happens there another time. (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #1798
When I came out, to my friends at least, I was welcomed with nothing but love and support. Though I maintain a heterosexual relationship and claim bisexuality, I realize I cannot force myself to do this forever. Someday soon, I will HAVE to be completely transparent with boyfriend, my mother, and most importantly, myself. This will change my entire life, and that terrifies me. All I have to say is “I’m gay,” but just the thought of accomplishing that makes me want to hide. (F/23/Gay)
Story #1794
When I came out I turned 13 about a week earlier. I am only out to my dad (3 months later), but it was around 11 pm on a school night and it was very emotional. I kept saying things like, “what if you don’t get it,” or “what if you don’t like it.” It didn’t help that he was already tired from work, so after many tears and about 30 minutes, I texted him and said, “I’m not straight.” He mentions it from time to time when we’re alone and stated how he knew, etc. (F/13/Queer)
Story #1793
When I came out, I was walking my friend back to her house after we had hung out. My sister had just had her birthday party, and I had been allowed to invite one friend. At one point in the sleepover, we had been sitting in my sister’s closet playing some random games on her phone, and I’m pretty sure she and her friends had forgotten we were in there, so we got all the tea on all their crushes. So, as we were walking back, we were laughing about how boring they were because they were all straight. I said, “Unlike me.” She laughed and replied with (jokingly), “I feel like you kinda just date everything. The tree, the grass, whatever.” And I just said, “Well, I am gay.” She just looked at me and said, “Ok, cool.” Honestly, I kinda expected that to be her reaction. (F/16/Lesbian)