When I came out I came out to my best friends first. They were really supportive of it and supported me all the way. I came out to my parents the other day; I had someone bring up the conversation because I didn’t know what to say. My mom said she already knew I was lesbian but she wasn’t gonna call me by my changed name or pronouns. She said that she was not gonna refer to me as non-binary, which really hurt. (Non-binary/14/Lesbian)
Story #2424
When I came out, I was about 12 or 13, and my mom was very disappointed in me and didn’t accept me. She said it was a phase and I was too young to know better. Now, I’m in high school, and I’m prepared to come out to her again whether she supports me or not! It can be scary hiding, so I’d rather just be out. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2413
When I came out to myself, I was 14, and thought that I was bisexual, but then at 16, I learnt about asexuality, and thought I was Biromantic Grayace. But then as time passed, I identified as Non-Binary at 19, and with weird feelings towards guys, I realized I was a lesbian at 20, but always felt like I didn’t fit in with the really sexual and romantic feelings of being a grayace lesbian. So now, I realized that I’m Grayaro too! So on the aroace spectrum with a lesbian orientation. I’ve come out to almost all my friends, who are supportive, but my parents are in denial. But I’ve found a beautiful accepting community along my journey of coming out and discovering my identity. (Non-binary/20/Gray aroace lesbian)
Story #2406
When I came out I was at a party talking to a random friend of a friend. We were all very drunk and I kinda just blurted it out. Funny how it was the one thing the other people around me remember! (F/22/Lesbian)
Story #2405
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)