When I came out my parents found my phone and read my text messages with my best friend. We were talking about being Pan (me) and Bi and homophobic kids in our classes, and my parents say I have to talk with them about it tomorrow. I am kinda freaking out right now. I am really angry with them about going through my texts because that was a real invasion of my privacy. That was supposed to me my thing, deciding if and when and how to tell them. (F/12/Pan)
Story #1642
When I came out I was at summer camp. I had met this girl that I really liked and we had been flirting for a while and then, one night, she told me she liked me. The next morning I was in one of my friend’s rooms and I said that over breakfast I told my close friends that there was someone I liked who liked me back, and I said her name and told them I was gay. They were so supportive and happy for me, and I felt exhilarated and started crying.
Story #1639
When I came out, it was completely by accident. The first person I came out to was online, and I had met her only 34 minutes previously. My family accidentally found out as they found one of my pride T-shirts. They were surprised and told me that they don’t agree with it, but still love me the same. (F/17/Gay)
Story #1637
When I came out to my two best friends (separately) one of them told me she was bi-curious, and the other said he still thought of me exactly the same. Friends are the best, and I can’t believe I was so nervous about telling them! I’ve yet to tell anyone else. (F/18/Bi)
Story #1632
When I came out was rather calm. I already came out to my friends but it was just my family I hadn’t told yet. During pride month, my straight friends were very supportive and suggested we should go to the pride parade. I agreed but I lied to my mother (who I lived with at the time) that I was heading over to my friend’s. My mom follows one of my family friends and he uploaded a group photo and I was there and my mom got upset, not because I later told her I was lesbian but because I lied to her about going to my friend’s. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #1628
When I came out, I had stayed up the night before writing my mom and dad a letter that I would give them before I went to school. However, I didn’t know where to put the letter so she would see it… and when I went to tie my shoes I dropped it on the ground. She then proceeded to ask me what it was and I stammered on my words, handing it to her and trying to run out the door. She said, “No, I want to talk about whatever is in this with you. Let me do your hair.” There I was with my mom, who was curling my hair at the time, telling her that I love all kinds of people. It’s been three years since then, and she and my father are super supportive! (F/16/Pan)
Story #1626
When I came out, it was hard. I’d just been in a rocky relationship with a guy for 10 months and was feeling pretty low when I left the relationship. But I’m glad I did because then I was able to see who I really was. I told all my friends and they were so supportive and then my family was alright. And it was a terrifying experience but I’m glad I did, because it allowed me to feel free. With love, a 16-year-old lesbian
Story #1625
When I came out, I first told a girl who was bisexual to get the courage to tell my friends. Until now, all I have gotten are good reactions. I’m planning to come out to my parents soon, but I’m scared. (15/Lesbian)
Story #1624
When I came out, I came out to myself first and it took me more than 10 years to realize that! I didn’t come out to my family or any of my friends and I’m not planning to. No one knows why I never had a boyfriend like my sisters. Since then I met a lot of new friends from the LGBT community. I came out to them, I’m happier and more confident, and I have my first girlfriend! Coming out to yourself is the most important.
Story #1623
When I came out, I told a friend who is also bi. I haven’t told my parents but plan to. I told my other friends as well who are quite religious but they took it surprisingly well and nothing has changed. The best part was that my friend told me she has a crush on me and now we are dating. (F/19/Bi)