When I came out, I was in a meeting with one of my teachers. She looked at me and told me she was so proud of me and that I should never be ashamed for who I am. She gave me a bunch of resources that she had used in the past and got me connected to several community groups. She told me to call her any time and would stand by my side even if my parents didn’t support me in my decision. (F/17/Asexual/gay)
Story #2071
When I came out, it was in maths class last year to a girl who sat next to me. She wanted me to be her “Gay Best Friend” but I think I’m quite a lame one. On top of that, I didn’t realise I was asexual until a few weeks ago. To be honest, it’s been a really horrible year, just a giant punch to the face every day, and being gay and ace makes me feel different in a bad way, and coming out seems stupid because why should someone judge you for that, why can’t you just be yourself and not say anything? And then, I feel like if I come out as ace people will think I’m lame because I don’t know who’s attractive. I just hope this year is over soon and then we can all laugh about it. (M/17/Gay/ace)
Story #2067
When I came out, it was an accident. I had actually already come out to my sister and a couple close friends, but I wasn’t out to all my peers. Some kids were teasing me about how I acted gay, like usual, but this time it was really getting out of hand. One of the remarks was spewed at me was “How come you act so gay!?!” And I was so fed up at this point that I accidentally answered: “BECAUSE I AM!” (M/16/Gay)
Story #2066
When I came out, I came out to my best friends first and that changed my life because all my other mates that I told didn’t accept me, so I told my best friends and they accepted me for who I was. It turns out that my other best friend was gay as well and finally we got together, and we love each other so, so much, but I haven’t told my mum or dad yet. But I told my aunt and she is always making sure that I believe in myself and stay happy because of who I am. (F/11/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2063
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)