When I came out it was just to my friends. My parents are homophobic, so I didn’t know that girls and girls were accepted. In 7th grade I found out I like girls and told a few friends. I’m in 9th now and gave a letter to my crush at the beginning of the year and got humiliated by all of the people in theatre. Now I have a crush on my best friend. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2696
When I came out, it was a bit rough since I was already deemed a disappointment to my parents for being a teen parent. When they figured out that I was lesbian by going through my desk, they were clearly upset. But I didn’t let that stop me from pursuing my dreams. Now, I’m a therapist helping people who are going through tough times. To those who wish to come out, be brave and confident! (F/27/Lesbian)
Story #2693
When I came out I was 14, but instead of being my full true self I had to identify as bi and go back into hiding. It was badddd; my mother literally grounded me for saying I liked girls. A few years go by and I date a guy for 1 week on the dot; I think I was 17, but I told him I couldn’t do it cause it was gross to me. I came out to my cousin and she said she already knew, then slowly again told my mother after being in a relationship with a girl for 3 months. I still hadn’t told my dad at that point, but finally told him at the beginning of my second relationship I was a lesbian and he was cool with it. (F/26/Lesbian)
Story #2691
When I came out as a lesbian I was 11. My family kinda thought it was a phase. My friends were super supportive, but then I ended up moving. Right now I live in a super homophobic state, but I didn’t know that when I moved here. I get remarks weekly about how being lesbian is sinful and unnatural. I have a couple friends who I’m out as genderfluid to, and they’re pretty supportive, but I’m scared to come out publicly. To everyone who is thinking of coming out, I send you love ❤️ (Genderfluid/13/Lesbian)
Story #2690
When I came out, I told my mom I had something to tell her while we were at a restaurant. I got nervous and waited until we got home. There, I texted her three words. “I like women.” And the only she said is “that’s okay.” Afterwards, she hugged me and told me she would always love me no matter what. I still haven’t told my dad, who’s very religious and right-wing. (F/Lesbian)
Story #2686
When I came out I was 16 and in the talking stage with a girl. I couldn’t hold it in any more, so I spilled my secret to my sister, then to my mom and my brother. Honestly, it was a weight off my chest and it’s nice to know I can trust them. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #2685
When I came out as lesbian it was about 6 months ago, but I had known I liked girls way before that. First I came out to my best friend, who was really nice about it, and we were talking about crushes and we both just blurted we had a crush on each other. It was awkward for like a day but then things went back to normal. When I came out to my mom as lesbian it wasn’t too long after I came out to my best friend, and I was so scared so decided to write it down and give the note to her. She was surprised but supportive, but I haven’t come out as nonbinary yet to anyone. (Nonbinary/12/Lesbian)
Story #2679
When I came out first, I was like 11 or so. It was to my parents; I told my mother first that I was a lesbian. She was really supportive and my dad was too. I told it almost immediately, so they were a great help. Then, around half a year ago, I realised I wasn’t a girl. I first thought I was a demigirl, but after a while I realised I was nonbinary. My parents supported me again, but they needed time to adjust. Now they really try to use my pronouns, but it is hard to them. At school it’s worse; I am out to my friends, but they never use my right pronouns. My class can be really homophobic and that hurts. There is one boy I think is okay; however, he says really mean stuff, not to my face, but I can hear it… I hope it gets better, and I hope that everyone can be who they are. Never give up! (Nonbinary/13/Lesbian)
Story #2676
When I came out, it wasn’t always easy. I have known that I was queer since I was 9 or 10 though, because I always felt a connection to the LGBTQ+ community. I liked my female friend when I was 11 and decided I was bisexual. When I was 12, I realized that I really didn’t like guys at all, and lesbian fit me better. After starting middle school, I began to feel dysphoric, but I couldn’t understand why. Eventually, I came out to my parents as a demigirl, but they weren’t always supportive. However, I am now 13 and I would like to use they/she pronouns. I am a proud lesbian :). I am going to get the short haircut I have wanted for a while in a week! It’s not always easy to be queer, but it gets better. (Demigirl/13/Lesbian)
Story #2675
When I came out (to my friends) I was 13 years old and had just realized my obsession with Jade West was suspicious, to say the least. I remember watching Victorious for the second time when it came to Netflix and all those feelings I had for Jade when I was 9 or 10 came back and it became clear to me that there was one reason why I simply hated Beck for no apparent reason, that I wanted to see Jade and Tori kiss and that I overlooked Jade’s cruelty, and that reason was I was infatuated with that woman. Since that moment it all came back to me, all the signs I (and everyone I know) had ignored and in hindsight I was extremely gay as a child and never really hid it. Oh yeah and my family still doesn’t know. (F/17/Lesbian?)