When I came out I was 12 years old at the time and had come out as bi just a few months earlier. I spent the entire summer between sixth and seventh grade just questioning my sexuality, and it was great having such a supportive group of friends helping me discover who I was. Fast forward to today, where I can’t tell anyone in high school because of my fear of being bullied. So far only my middle school friends, my little brother, and some teachers know, but I can’t wait for the day when I can be my gay self in front of anyone. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #1717
When I came out I was 14 in 7th grade and I came out to my best friend. My parents get hints here and there, so I figure they know but it’s kinda hard to tell my dad. My mom and everyone else in my family knows but my dad is another story. He is traditional; he only believes in man and woman, but I like girls, have since I was a baby, and I’m proud of who I am and who I’ve become after last year. I just hope I can find someone to love me for me, especially my family. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #1711
When I came out it was not planned. But one night at a party a good friend of mine came to me and wanted to speak with me about something. The reason was that she thought that I had flirted with her boyfriend too much at the last parties we were together. I started laughing and told her that it was just because we were really good friends and she can be sure that it will not happen any time in the future that I am flirting with any boyfriend because I love girls. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #1710
When I came out it was not by choice. My mom had stumbled across the messages me and my girlfriend had been sending each other. She read them all and then looked at me. She asked, “Why do you guys say I love you so much to each other?”
My response was “Because maybe I like girls and not guys.” (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #1703
When I came out I told my friends to keep an open mind. And when I told them they were very accepting. Now, after 5 years of being in the closet, my Christmas gift to my parents will be to tell them I like girls. Wish me luck! (F/18/Lesbian)
Story #1698
When I came out it was to a girl I had just met. We were in eighth grade, and I basically broke down crying against her shoulder in one of the back storage rooms of my school’s music room. My family is extremely homophobic, and having the support of this girl made me realize that I could make my own family. She came out to me around a year later as a fellow lesbian and we are still very close. Though I still haven’t come out to my family or anybody who I am very close to, I still found my own safe place with people who love and support me, and I am happy. (F/Gay)
Story #1686
When I came out, I first told my best friend who was also my crush at the time. I knew she was gay and wouldn’t care if I came out. My parents forced me to come out to them and they told me that they already knew. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #1682
When I came out it was to my dog. I know that sounds dumb, but it’s true. It took me courage to even tell my dog. I plan on telling my crush, who is also lesbian, sometime soon. Send good vibes! (F/12/Gay)
Story #1632
When I came out was rather calm. I already came out to my friends but it was just my family I hadn’t told yet. During pride month, my straight friends were very supportive and suggested we should go to the pride parade. I agreed but I lied to my mother (who I lived with at the time) that I was heading over to my friend’s. My mom follows one of my family friends and he uploaded a group photo and I was there and my mom got upset, not because I later told her I was lesbian but because I lied to her about going to my friend’s. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #1626
When I came out, it was hard. I’d just been in a rocky relationship with a guy for 10 months and was feeling pretty low when I left the relationship. But I’m glad I did because then I was able to see who I really was. I told all my friends and they were so supportive and then my family was alright. And it was a terrifying experience but I’m glad I did, because it allowed me to feel free. With love, a 16-year-old lesbian