When I came out, it was last year during summer school with a really close friend of mine. At the time I said I liked boy/girls and we had a great discussion and he was very understanding. It was also one my first times crying around another guy. It felt so healing. I had come out to a couple other people who took it well but that experience really gave me some internal confidence at least for a few months until other people around me started to make me feel like I have to go back to hiding myself. But also I don’t feel like I need to have a big coming out session, I just hope I find more people to come out to one on one. (M/17/Gay)
Story #2503
When I came out it was with my sister. She invited me over for dinner. I thought it was just going to be the two of us, but when I got there her friend Paul was there. So the thee of us sat down to eat and Paul sat right next to me. After dinner we had few drinks and I got my sister alone and asked her what was going on. Lori replied with “I thought you might like him.” I was so caught by surprise I said, “Yes, he is cute. And yes, Lori, I am gay.” This was the first time I have ever said this to anyone. Lori laughed and said, “Yes, I know, now go have some fun with him,” and she left us alone. I had a great time that night with Paul and I felt so good finally just being myself and not hiding the fact that I am gay. (M/30/Gay)
Story #2500
When I came out it was as a 57-year-old gay dad. My wife’s reaction was silence, as if to say “I thought so”. Some people did not believe me as it suited them to believe otherwise. Coming out as a gay man with children is more common than you would expect. It was a great relief to escape from the closet and be me — one of the best things I have ever done and have no regrets whatsoever, except that I wish I had done it years ago. (M/60/Homosexual/gay man)
Story #2496
When I came out, I was probably around 10-13. I first came out as bisexual, which I was wrong, girls suck (not all girls), then came to terms with being transgender at the age of 13, though I had to hide it. Mom found out by looking through my messages. Even now as an FTM she still uses “god sees it as a sin.” I recently came out to most teachers and have a supportive teacher. Some still want to force me in the box/force me to come out in documents. I am proud to say that I’m gay. (Transgender male/17/DemiGay polyamorous)
Story #2485
When I came out to my best friend, we were walking home together. I got really quiet, and she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then I said it: I am a boy. She didn’t say anything at first. Then she smiled, and asked what my name was. When I told her, she said it was beautiful, and that I was beautiful and so brave. I started crying, and she hugged me until I calmed down. She held my hand all the way home, and I remember feeling so loved. She moved away a couple months after that, but she is still one of the best friends I’ve ever had. (M/14/Transgender+Gay)
Story #2480
When I came out to my friend group, it was kinda weird. They all supported me except for two people (There are 6 people in the friend group not including me). They all said they supported me but no one actually uses my preferred name or pronouns. I’m not sure if this even counts as being out, but I guess I tried. (M/12/Transgender/gay man)
Story #2460
When I came out it was to my friend. She was openly bisexual so I felt comfortable telling her. I told her and she completely supported me. I tried to tell my other friend but I didn’t know she was homophobic. I told her and she flipped out. She didn’t want to talk to me so I realized she wasn’t a real friend. (12/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2455
When I came out I was 29 (it was 1985). My father had just died in an accident and that forced me to confront being gay and moving forward to live my true life. I knew I was gay when I was 13, but repressed it through HS, college, and my 20’s. I didn’t date women. I was just a solo person, with many friends, who stayed busy with other activities. I’m 66 now, married to a long-time partner. I envy the youth of today. I still sometimes struggle when I recall the pain of hiding from everyone including myself for so many years. (M/66/Gay)
Story #2452
When I came out I was 15 and at school. It was obvious that I was gay and I never really tried to hide it but would always deny it when asked. My best friend kept asking me who I liked and I kept deflecting the question. One day, after weeks of planning how I would say it, I said that I would tell her who I liked. She figured out that I was trying to come out but was scared to say the words. She asked me, “You’re gay? I’ve known since 3rd grade” and then we hugged and talked about it for a while. (M/15/Gay)
Story #2450
When I came out, I was 15 years old and on a pit stop at Starbucks during a high school field trip. While we waited for our drinks, my friend asked me outright if I was gay. And through tears, I said yes, and that I had never told anyone before—she hadn’t known it would be my first time coming out. Thank you to everyone who posted their stories on here; they gave so much strength to a closeted gay teen. (M/24/Gay)