When I came out to my older brother, he thought I was joking at first: he said I was too picky when it came to guys, and asked me what my type was, and I said, “Women.” He hugged me after and told me he accepted me and would keep my secret… and then started joking about it in front of my mom and making references to lesbian sex whenever he talked about me. I told him that I’d just been confused a couple months later. Sometimes, it’s just not the right time, and that’s ok. (Nonbinary/21/Gay/genderqueer/transgender)
Story #2240
When I came out, I was about to do standardized testing and my school let us use our phones while we waited. I had half an hour before I was going to take the test, and my friend said she was happy that our other friends were having lots of luck in relationships. To her knowledge, I had never liked someone, but I decided to tell her I liked someone and I was gay. She was happy, and I told a few other people. However, I’m fairly sure I failed that test badly because I could not focus for the life of me.
Story #2234
When I came out as a lesbian on social media I got almost no reaction from anyone. My sister commented neutrally on it, but that was all. I recently came out as enby on social media and again no one has lifted an eyebrow. It feels great to be myself. I plan on getting a binder soon. (Enby/16/Gay)
Story #2227
When I came out to my parents they accepted me, but it’s hard to tell now because they won’t use my correct pronouns. My mom even told me that it will take her time because she always knew me as her daughter. I told her I understood. That was at Thanksgiving of last year, but now both of my parents still misgender me. It hurts like hell. I don’t know how to tell them that whenever they use she/her I die a little inside each day, my depression and dysphoria gets worse and worse, and I think my parents don’t understand I am trying to be strong but it just hurts so much. (FtM/36/Trans man/gay)
Story #2208
When I came out, I asked my close friend to meet me and she agreed. So I picked her up and sat in Indomart (Indonesian version of 7 Eleven). She knew that I wanted to talk about a serious matter. I couldn’t say it, so I gave her my audio recorder and I came out. She was very supportive and she also came out as bisexual. (M/18/Gay)
Story #2206
When I came out I was about 14. I knew that I liked girls at the age of 12 but my family has strong religious beliefs so I knew telling them wasn’t an option. I had later decided that I was just going to disregard my attraction to girls and focus on men because at the time I thought I was bi. This was very hard on my mental health so when I was 14 I decided to tell my friends. I knew they wouldn’t care but I was just so uncomfortable talking about it that I never actually came out and said it. I just made jokes that would hint at my sexuality and I would talk about my female celebrity crushes a lot. This led to my friends asking if I was bi to which I then replied yes and they were so supportive and accepting. Now at 18 realized that I am actually gay and for the first time in my life I’m proud of it. I have yet to tell my parents but I am working on that soon. (F/18)
Story #2196
When I came out to my parents, I hadn’t even planned on doing it. It was actually my father who asked me. I tried to avoid the question and it took me about 5 minutes to finally answer: yes… They were like: “Oh, ok… Why didn’t you tell us before? We’re your parents and we’re gonna love you no matter what”. So I started crying and they hugged me, saying how much they loved me. (M/Gay)
Story #2180
When I came out my sister came out to me! I’m gay and she’s asexual. It was nice to know but it also made me feel like I had to come out before she did. It’s ok to have mixed feelings upon coming out or having someone come out to you.
Story #2179
When I came out I knew my parents would accept me. So I just told them about how my friend assumed I liked her, and when my parents asked why I told them I liked girls. My mom said it didn’t matter and just told me I was too young for a relationship. It went really well. (F/11/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2173
When I came out to my brother’s mom (my half mom and favorite mom), we were on a walk by the zoo and I said, “I have to tell you something.” My 8-year-old brother, who already known at the time, immediately stood right by me and hugged me as I told her I like girls, and she said, “I’m so proud of you and I’ll always love you.” That’s my favorite coming out story (so far — this Saturday I’m coming out to my lesbian aunts). (F/13/Just gay)