When I came out, I was so scared like anyone else, but I did it. I first told my mom, who supported and still does support me. She said to be careful because of how mean people can be. But I didn’t come out to my dad; he pretty much found out. I was being bullied at school for being gay, which led to him finding out. Now I’m proud to be who I am. (M/Gay)
Story #2048
When I came out, I had been hiding it for two years being bi a couple months before I came out I decided I was gay. I was on FaceTime with my girlfriend and she told me that either I was gonna tell my mom or she was so it was 9:45 pm. I texted my mom and told her I needed to talk to her. She came up to my room and I went blank. The first thing she asked was “Are you pregnant?” My immediate response was “It’s not possible in this case.” After a couple of minutes I finally said, “I’m gay.” She smiled and said she loved me. She told my dad for me and she said he saw it coming so he wasn’t surprised. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2039
When I came out I was 12. I didn’t really know what to think at the time; all I knew was that it was my first time in a locker room filled with other CUTE girls. I stood there looking at them but when they seen me looking I would turn away shyly; I would even pretend to talk to a friend just to walk around and look. Eventually someone realized I was looking at them and called me out on it, which of course drew a lot of attention to us; she wasn’t lying, though, because at the time I had a HUGE CRUSH on her. Of course I turned red, then everyone started laughing and calling me mean names as they are pushing my head into toilets and throwing me into lockers. Soon I received notes like “kill yourself” and things like that and I’m not gonna lie, I for real thought about it. I would try to drown myself in the bathtub but couldn’t muster up the courage. Soon my parents realized something was wrong, which of course I lied and said just a bad day because I know my parents won’t accept me and will try to fix me. To this day I will never tell my very religious parents and I continue to get bullied at school. (F/13/Gay?)
Story #2033
When I came out it was just yesterday. I had been coming to terms with my sexuality for quite some time and I finally could confidently look in the mirror and say, “That girl is gay.” I had been trying to tell so many of my friends for so long and then I remembered a while ago one of my friends had said one quick casual sentence about not knowing her sexuality, so me and her (she is also my crush) were at theatre practice and I told her, “I have something to tell you” and it took me so long to just spit it out, telling her, “I don’t know if it’s a phase or what but I know what I’m feeling right now, and that feeling is gay.” She immediately hugged me, said that it would be okay, then she said that she thinks she might be bi and soon we were both crying our eyes out. (F/13/Lesbian/queer)
Story #2032
When I came out to my brother it was the most awkward thing. We’ve never been close and so this was a conversation I had put off for years. In the end he took it really well, but we both had very little to say. My mom later told me that he called her soon after to confess to her how bad he now felt for all the gay jokes he’d made over the years. He would never tell me that, but it’s good to know he cares. (M/26/Gay)
Story #2028
When I came out to my father a few months ago, I was already out to my mom and at school. I knew I was gay since I was 15, so it was time to tell him. I wrote him a letter with everything I wanted him to know and left it on the kitchen table. Then I left for a friend’s birthday party. A few days later, we took some time to talk about it and he said he didn’t really guess but he was fine with it. I was incredibly relieved and I am glad how good it turned out 🏳️🌈 (M/19/Gay)
Story #2024
When I came out to my mom it was just yesterday. I had already been out at school and to my friends but hadn’t come out to her yet. I got a pride flag from Amazon and it came and she picked it up and was like, “Is this a gay flag and are you telling me you’re gay?” and I’m like, “I don’t know.” Then I went to work and came home last night and she said, “I guess you’re glad that’s out cause you didn’t like hiding it” and I’m like, “Yeah” and she said it’s a sin and she’s disappointed but she doesn’t love me any less. So I guess it went ok 🏳️🌈 (M/19/Gay)
Story #2023
When I came out I was on my way home with one of my best friends since we live near each other. As we were walking home he noticed that I kept texting someone and he asked me who it was. All of a sudden I started panicking and like hyperventilating because I was under the influence and I couldn’t come up with a good lie. I started to cry and he was so confused and then I texted him that it was a boy and that I liked guys just because I couldn’t say it. He hugged me and made me feel very comfortable. That day I didn’t expect to tell someone and I wasn’t planning on telling anyone any time soon but I’m glad that I don’t have to lie to him anymore. I still have to tell others but I’m glad I have him for support. (M/17/Gay)
Story #2014
When I came out it was 2007 and I was 27 years old, though I’d known I was gay since I was about 12. I came out to my best (girl) friend first… she was amazing… Next was my childhood buddy (more like a brother). He was great to me, but slightly freaked out. Then I told my mom, who I always thought would be my “champion”, and she freaked out and called my dad… and my father, the supreme jock, the masculine supreme, accepted me straight up for who I was and told me to stop worrying about being myself!!! So… don’t hold back for people you think may be “disappointed”, do you… the lovers will always love! (M/39/Gay)
Story #2009
When I came out, it was to my friends. I was super nervous so instead of saying that I was trans I just kind of said, “By the way, I’m a guy.” Everyone was super supportive and all of them are LGBT+. I also came out to my dance teacher and my history teacher, both of whom are very supportive. I haven’t come out to my transphobic parents yet, but I plan to come out on New Year’s as my resolution. I’m pretty nervous but also excited. (M/13/FtM/gay/panromantic)