Lesbian Coming Out Stories

When I came out to my closet friends and eventually my parents, I could literally feel the earth beneath me shaking. I am from India, a modern yet conservative and traditional society with lots of religious skepticism of burning in hell, societies eyeball rolling, and parents’ fear of my choices bringing shame to the family no matter how educated and knowledgable they are. So it has been half a decade now of me going through this phase of doubts, shame, fear, non-acceptance, anxiety, and then finally courage, grit, and love. Long story short, with amazing friends who were as ignorant as me when we started this journey, but nevertheless loved me and accepted me for who I am, parents who had it very hard initially but later chose to love their daughter beyond fear, and the love of my life who is the pillar and support day in-day out, here I am. After a tough yet educational journey for me and other people in my life, love won and I proudly love myself for who I am and am grateful for the beautiful and blessed partner in this lifetime. Life is a journey of discovering our own truths and no matter how scared we are to confront the truth, as it is very hard in the beginning, we are all God’s children and it is a true homage to the Creator to live by it. (F/28/Lesbian)

When I came out, I told a friend that I’m lesbian and I have a crush on her. She was supportive, but also replied with “sorry but I’m not lesbian” and she hasn’t answered my texts since. I’m kind of afraid to come out to other people, though I think I’ve already made the biggest step in telling my crush. (F/17/Lesbian)

When I came out it ruined so much of my life. My parents don’t accept it, and honestly they’ve ruined my mental health. It hurts me everyday to know that they will never love me for who I am. Thank god for the supportive people in my life that helped me get through it… (F/14/Lesbian)

When I came out, I was walking my friend back to her house after we had hung out. My sister had just had her birthday party, and I had been allowed to invite one friend. At one point in the sleepover, we had been sitting in my sister’s closet playing some random games on her phone, and I’m pretty sure she and her friends had forgotten we were in there, so we got all the tea on all their crushes. So, as we were walking back, we were laughing about how boring they were because they were all straight. I said, “Unlike me.” She laughed and replied with (jokingly), “I feel like you kinda just date everything. The tree, the grass, whatever.” And I just said, “Well, I am gay.” She just looked at me and said, “Ok, cool.” Honestly, I kinda expected that to be her reaction. (F/16/Lesbian)

When I came out, it was to a few friends at first. I also came out as bisexual then. They were all super supportive and loving. Once I got to college and thought about dating, I realized I was solely thinking about dating women, so I shot a text to my friends to update them on the change. (They were all still super supportive!). This semester ends in about 3 weeks, and I plan to come out to my parents when I get home. They’re amazing parents and I don’t doubt that they’ll be okay with my sexuality, but I know they’re going to be really confused because I’ve had boyfriends in the past. Wish me luck! (F/18/Lesbian)

When I came out, I had already come out as “Bisexual” two years before when I thought my reality was that. When I realized that I’m gay, I talked with a close friend and she gave me some advices. The next day my mom was asking me, “If you’re Bi, why do you only date women?” And I told her I’m a homo. She wasn’t surprised at all. In the same week I came out officially as a lesbian on my Twitter and posted the same thing on Instagram as well. Two weeks ago I came out to my grandparents and they’re still trying to accept it. (F/17/Lesbian)

When I came out, first I thought I was bisexual. But with growing crushes on girls, no longer boys, it was apparent that I was lesbian. During a program, we played a game where we put anonymous slips of paper into a box responding to the prompt: “If people really knew me, they would know…” I put: If people really knew me, they would know that I’m lesbian and scared to come out. Ever since, people have tried to guess who it was, but no one except my very close friends knows that the anonymous gay is me 🙂 (F/13/Lesbian)

When I came out to my best friend we were 14. It was 3am and we were lying in my bed during a sleepover. I looked over and said, “I think I’m gay” really quietly and just started crying. She rolled over, said, “I know, I’m going to sleep.” We still laugh about it years later, especially because she just came out to me as bi. (F/18/Lesbian)

When I came out in 8th grade, it was to my mom. I sent her a text message saying that I was bi; we didn’t really talk about it. Eventually, I ended up going back to the closet. This year I figured out that I am lesbian and only my brother knows it. (F/17/Lesbian)

When I came out to my friend, I didn’t really come out. We were just talking and we slowly discovered together our sexuality. I guess I needed someone to help me understand myself. Now I’m a lesbian and she’s bi. (F/18/Lesbian)