When I came out to my parents this year, I was scared that they would not love me anymore. I have known that I was not interested in guys. I wanted to be free and my true self. My mom said that she knew. All my friends I told were happy for me and said I thought you were. Some said they knew. They said that they wish I came out sooner. I was not sure what I wanted. I wanted people to love me for me. (F/39/Lesbian)
Story #2744
When I came out to my parents, I was 13 and working on a project with my friend (who is also queer) that was about the LGBTQ+ community. Her mom was asking questions about it, and she was freaking out because like the wonderful person she is, she didn’t want to out me to her mom if I wasn’t ready, so she was frantically calling me. When I called her back, I was in the car with my mom and I decided to explain to her after I hung up what the call was about, and she was cool with it, if not a little surprised. That night, we went out to ice cream and I just walked up to my dad in the crowded shop and said, “Hey dad, I’m gay.” With my friends, it was really easy to come out because most of them are queer or allies and they are really good at accepting me for who I am. (F/Lesbian)
Story #2743
When I came out to my mom today, I had been planning it out for a long time, and last night I wrote a letter telling my mom how I feel, how long, etc. It was about midnight, and I went and slipped the note under her door. I could barely sleep after that. I fell asleep around 2 am, and woke up at 7 am. When I woke up, I layed in bed for about an hour, nervous about what to do. It might sound a bit silly, but after a while I got so nervous about it that I went and sat in my closet for 20 minutes and thought about it. I knew that my mom would be supportive, but I was still scared. I finally went and sat on the couch in our living room, and a little bit later my mom came into the living room and told me she loved me and didn’t care who I loved. It was a short conversation, but it was nice. A couple hours later, I sat down next to her and asked her if she had any questions, and we talked about my experience for a while. No regrets. (F/14/Bi/lesbian)
Story #2733
When I came out I was around late twelve/early 13. I basically had a hunch in fifth grade but I was so confused. I was attracted to a bunch of random girls and didn’t have a full crush until 7th grade which is when I told my friends. I’ve only told two people irl but they’re accepting of it. Coming out for real is honestly super scary because what if all the girls in my grade are disgusted with me (I go to a small school). And idk some of my friends also gay jokes and I don’t want anyone to see me differently. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2731
When I came out I had just turned 18. My best friend kept making homophobic remarks and I just decided I had had enough, so I painted a pride flag and hung it on the door of my room. My friend then came for a visit and saw it, then she asked me if I was queer. I came out as a lesbian and surprisingly, she has been really supportive — I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative remark from her since then. It made me believe that even homophobes can change, because the people who truly care about us won’t mind who we are and who we love. (F/19/Lesbian and demisexual)
Story #2727
When I came out to my friend we were talking about crushes and I said, “I get the feeling you already know that I’m gay” and then I said who I liked at the time. It was terrifying to press send on that text but turns out that she is bi and we’re buddies still to this day. Having good people around you makes all the difference in life. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2715
When I came out, my mom asked me why I felt that way. I asked her why she felt ‘that way’ about my dad. She asked what she did wrong, but reminded me she still loved me. I was expecting to be kicked out of the house. About a year later now, she’s still not 100% on board, but she’s gotten better. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #2712
When I came out to my family about my homosexual tendencies, I was 13 years old. I came out in a very unfortunate situation — my parents had read my diary, and at that time, I still couldn’t accept myself. They thought it was just a teenage phase, and honestly, so did I. I wasn’t able to truly accept my sexuality until I developed an anxiety disorder due to prolonged stress. Since then, I’ve started learning how to accept it — but even now, I still struggle to love girls with my full, honest feelings. That struggle has weighed on me for four years. Now, at 17, I’m finally walking the path to find the real answer to that question. (Lesbian/17)
Story #2707
When I came out to my family, I was scared. I gave half-truths. “Would you accept me if I dated a man? How do you feel about my transfem friend?” Only after months of subtle questions did I, at 20 years old, finally admit to them: I am a woman. (F/29/Trans Fem/Pansexual/Lesbian)
Story #2700
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)