When I came out, I was 16 in Year 12, but I had known since 13, and I told my friend I had a crush on someone. I was digging myself a hole because I had never talked about my crushes, so I dragged it out and was like, “Oh, I’m never gonna tell you.” Then I kept thinking about it in lessons. Then I ended up texting her on the bus when she was sitting right next to me ’cause I was too scared to tell her out loud. Then we talked about it and ate McDonald’s after. But it was the biggest weight off my chest. It’s going to be a long time before I come out to my family though. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1852
When I came out, my dad accepted me and he told me that he would love me no matter what. My mom is homophobic so I hadn’t told her yet. Three months later, my friend’s mom called my mom and outed me. My mom passed it off as a phase at first but when she learned that I had a girlfriend, she forced us to break up and now she pretends the whole thing never happened. She still plans my future with all the wrong pronouns. (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #1851
When I came out to my sister it was a little weird situation, because my sister made a joke about a girl from our soccer club, who is also a good friend of hers, and our coach. She said, “On this picture it looks as if they were a couple, but for real nobody knows if she falls for boys or girls, or do you know?” That was the moment where I first didn’t know what to say, because I did know it — after all, she’s been my girlfriend for over 3 months. At first I wanted to lie to her but then I just told her, “As far as I know and hope she is a lesbian and I am also very sure about that, ’cause we are a couple already for over 3 months.” After that she was shocked at first, but not in a negative way and after a few seconds she came over and hugged me and told me that she was happy for me and also her. (F/20/Lesbian)
Story #1835
When I came out my husband almost killed himself. Everyone has accused me of being a lesbian my whole life and I hated it! I always knew who I was, but I never accepted myself. I was emotionally/mentally killing myself, but 3 kids, 1 marriage, & a chow chow later I’m a happier person. 🌈 Bring it on LIFE🤜🏻 (F/27/Lesbian/bisexual?)
Story #1825
When I came out, it took me nearly 20 minutes to get the words out after I told my mom that I needed to talk to her. Even though I knew she would be accepting, the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth and I turned bright red. I finally said, “I’m gay,” and she hugged me and said she loved me. She told my dad, who brought it up in the car one day and just said that he accepts me. I’m planning to tell my friends but I’m scared they’ll treat me differently and be weirded out if they know that I’m a lesbian. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #1820
When I came out, my family was generally accepting at first, until I started telling my mom about a girl I was talking to at the time. After this, she started making fun of me and telling me that I was a “waste of a girl” and immediately sent me to a therapist. She also continued to tell me she’d “turn me straight” and that I need to give guys a chance. It’s been difficult but I’m proud to be who I am, no matter what she says or thinks. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1819
When I came out, it didn’t go as well as I thought it would. I was in 8th grade and told my best friend that I had feelings for another girl. She called me disgusting and said that to her being gay was severely wrong. I apologized to her and asked if we could forget about it, but she never spoke to me ever again. Today, 3 years later, I haven’t come out to anyone else because I fear they will take it the same way. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1814
When I came out to my very conservative gran (I was already out to everyone else) I told her I was a lesbian and my girlfriend was going to be at an event we were going to the next day. She isn’t homophobic but has this idea of me marrying a rich man and having children, so boy was she shocked. She then proceeded to tell me I would grow out of it, blah blah blah. I don’t really care about her reaction; she wants me to be happy and I am. She will adapt. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1811
When I came out to my friends, they were really supportive, for the most part. (One of them even ultimately became my girlfriend! :)) But one friend said that homosexuality was against her religion, and she didn’t want to associate with me anymore. I didn’t care, but then she threatened to tell my parents. I had already told my dad, who was supportive, but my mom is extremely homophobic; so I still have to come out to my mom… (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #1807
When I came out, it was unplanned. I started by telling a couple of my friends, then I just started randomly bringing it up in conversation with my less close friends. Then one night, my parents were pestering me about having so many male friends, and I was tired of it, so I just said I was gay. After that, I just started being totally open about it, even though I hadn’t told everyone. Whatever, if they know, they know, right? (F/16/Lesbian)