When I came out I was 11. I was super nervous and, just out of the blue, texted my friend that I had something to tell them. She was surprised and so I pretended it was a joke. The next day I decided I couldn’t live like this anymore and said that I had not been joking. If you are under 14 and think people will say you’re too young, just say, “How are you too young to be straight?” (F/Lesbian)
Story #2404
When I came out it was at school freshman year of high school. My phone background had subtle pink, white, and orange colors (the lesbian flag colors). In the middle of class I accidentally dropped it and my friend sitting next to me turns and asks why it has lesbian colors. I go quiet because I wasn’t expecting that question. My other friend who I had already come out to started laughing hysterically and I turned to friend 1 and told her that she had one guess. She also began laughing. This was all while we were watching The Great Gatsby in class.
Story #2397
When I came out to one of my football teammates, it was “Oktoberfest” at our sportsclub. And nearly the whole team was present; we were drinking, and then we all ended up in one of the changing rooms. We had a lot of fun, and then I suddenly had a serious talk with one of them, and that was the moment when she asked me: “Do you like boys or girls more?” And I said girls and everything was fine and I felt a lot relieved. (23/Lesbian)
Story #2392
When I came out, I came out to my old friend who had moved away over text, when I was eleven. I came out to her only as ace not les but I want to. I still have not come out to my parents even though that was many years ago. I also might come out to some of my other friends on national coming out day, which is not too far away. (F/Ace/lesbian)
Story #2385
When I came out I was 13. I texted my friend, telling him that I was gay, and I remember just hoping and praying for a good reaction because I was drowning in internalized homophobia and just wanted someone to tell me it was okay. Now I’m out to a total of 5 people and will be out to my parents soon. (Gender non-conforming woman/15/Gay/lesbian)
Story #2381
When I came out everything crashed. This summer my mom sent me to my grandmother’s house and renovated my room. She found my diary and looked through it, (surprise, surprise) finding out I had a girlfriend. She confronted me about it, and told me she loved me (didn’t say “for who I was”) and says I need to give her my phone password because she won’t snoop again. (F/16/Lesbian)
Story #2374
When I came out it took several tries. First, it started with me, then my friends, then my family. It took years for me to be able to be where I am and be comfortable with myself. It took many, many long talks, tears, and hard, difficult days and nights for me to be my true self with the people I care for. Now I am living my best life and am happier than I ever was, knowing that I truly love myself for myself. (F/31/Lesbian)
Story #2372
When I came out I was a nervous wreck! I couldn’t sleep as I felt I was ready to tell them. So I got up around 11pm and walked up to them. I came out to my close sister the same day that I came out to my mum and dad. I told dad first. I said due to my past I’m gay. And dad said as long as I was happy, and mum said she already knew!!! So I all told my mum’s mum and I didn’t have a very good reaction out of her. She said I was too young to know, which wasn’t true, but I told her again and she accepted me. (F/15/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2361
When I came out I was 13. It was in school and we just had break, so a kid that was with me in class wanted to show me an edit he made, so I watched the edit, and it was simple, it just said:
you are gay
So I said,
“Yeah, I know.”
Then he asked if I’m really a lesbian and it goes on you know. After class I text my friends and tell the story. They are shocked and ask why I said it through text. I didn’t know it was that big of a deal because EVERYBODY around me was trans, bi, gay, demi, you know, so yeah that’s pretty much it 🙂 (F/13/Lesbian)
Story #2350
When I came out it was to my sister, first as ace and then as a lesbian. She was a little confused but asked questions and was really supportive. I haven’t told anyone else yet but I do want to tell my parents, only I’m not sure how my Dad will react. He has been a little homophobic in the past. (F/16/Lesbian/ace)