When I came out for the second time to my religious mother (separated parents), I was 27 and my boyfriend was waiting for me outside to take a bus. She started crying and blame all to herself for several minutes before I left the apartment. Months later she has become very accepting and asks about my guy at times. (M/28/Gay)
Story #2399
When I came out, I was at the school art club and I made a badge with ‘he/him’ written on it. My friend saw and asked if they were my new pronouns. When I said yes she was very supportive and was there for me when I came out to some of my other friends. (M/13/Gay)
Story #2395
When I came out it was in July 1992. I was 17 years old and I told a school friend, and he told me he was gay as well. We remained friends until life took another direction for him. I am now 47 years old. I have been single all my life and I’m still on a journey to accept myself and feel that it’s fine to be gay. My first crush was Mike Nolan from Bucks Fizz in 1981 and Christopher Reeve in Superman 2 . I still have hope that one day I will meet a soul mate and he will be my Superman. (M/47/Gay)
Story #2391
When I came out I was 11 and my dad had just found out about how I was self-harming. He was bringing me a towel after my shower and accidentally saw everything. I broke down, and he asked me why I was doing this. At the time, I was out as non-binary, but I told him I was a boy. My dad was very accepting, which made sense. I wasn’t scared to come out to my mom, since she’s a lesbian. How that went was, “Mom, I’m transgender,” and “Okay, what does that mean for you?” Then I flip-flopped between omnisexual, bisexual, and gay/mlm until eventually settling on gay. I’m out to everyone and am happier than ever. (M/FtM/14/Gay/mlm)
Story #2385
When I came out I was 13. I texted my friend, telling him that I was gay, and I remember just hoping and praying for a good reaction because I was drowning in internalized homophobia and just wanted someone to tell me it was okay. Now I’m out to a total of 5 people and will be out to my parents soon. (Gender non-conforming woman/15/Gay/lesbian)
Story #2380
When I came out to my friends, some accepted me and some didn’t. I got bullied a lot and still am. Although it’s hard to be in a negative place, I managed. I’ve had two partners and they were toxic, but now I’ve found the perfect partner and she is uber supportive and kind. My sister was next, and she and I are the misfits of the family so she has pretty much accepted me. My brothers and parents I still have to deal with, and I have to wait till I’m older but soon I will and we will see if they react badly. Coming out is scary, especially if you have religious parents/toxic parents, but if you try and fail keep trying and keep the people you love close! (Genderfluid/12/Gay/poly)
Story #2372
When I came out I was a nervous wreck! I couldn’t sleep as I felt I was ready to tell them. So I got up around 11pm and walked up to them. I came out to my close sister the same day that I came out to my mum and dad. I told dad first. I said due to my past I’m gay. And dad said as long as I was happy, and mum said she already knew!!! So I all told my mum’s mum and I didn’t have a very good reaction out of her. She said I was too young to know, which wasn’t true, but I told her again and she accepted me. (F/15/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2363
When I came out I told my friends first (who all turned out to be queer too, I just had the ultimate swag to come out first lol) and they were very accepting. Then I told my parents, who were accepting but also cold and skeptical, especially my mom, who thought that I didn’t know enough about gender identities to decide for myself. She convinced me I was non-binary, which was kinda wack, but when I re-came out again she respected it, and now she even supports me starting T! (FtM/17/Gay)
Story #2331
When I came out was only recently but I have always known I was gay. Sometimes deep down denial but always obvious to me — gay porn and gay sex kind of was convincing. Anyways, coming out slowly to my trusted friends was wonderful. But coming out to myself was first the most important step. If you are struggling, first ask yourself, can I come out to myself? Then everything else will follow. Peace and love. (M/57/Gay)
Story #2330
When I came out I basically wrote a note saying to a girl who had a crush on me. I remember exactly what I wrote: “I’m sorry but I’m not interested in you, nothing personal. I think I am gay because I kinda have a crush on the new kid in science class.” After she read it, she came up to me and said, “It’s ok, I support you.” I felt really relieved! (M/Gay)