When I came out as bisexual, I was 15 and me and this guy came back to my house to “study” and we ended up making out. My mom came up and opened the door to ask if we wanted some snacks and she caught us really going at it. She was sort of understanding but not really and it was honestly a tough time. I’m older now and thankfully we made peace with each other before she passed away, so I feel thankful for that. (M/36/Bisexual mostly gay)
Story #2719
When I was about 15 I started thinking about guys. When I was about 21 I had my first experience when a friend seduced me. I liked it and at time was still interested in girls but thought this is nice and I don’t need to worry about getting a girl pregnant! I started going to gay bars and started dating men and while not all worked out I dated a couple of girls again but met my first real boyfriend at 24 at a LGBT Social Meeting. From that point on I have only been in relationships with men and while I understand women can be attractive I can’t actually imagine having sex with a female. I know I love men and may have been born gay but did not realize my feelings until 15 and by 24 I completely accepted and embraced being gay. I am a hairy happy gay versatile bear (preferably a bottom though). Currently single again but hoping to find my true top bear future husband. (M/62)
Story #2718
When I came out originally I was nine. I told my mom I didn’t feel like a girl most days, but she just told me to focus on being a ten year old girl, as my birthday was the next day. I came out again around eleven. Again, I was just told to be a girl. I officially came out and said I was trans when I was thirteen… I got hit with the “I support you, but…” and she went on a tangent about how God made me a girl, not a boy. When I got into an argument about something else, my dad started yelling about how if I want to be a boy, I should go out and do “boy sh**”. Overall it went terrible, and for them “loving me unconditionally”, it surely doesn’t feel like it. I told them I did not like my body and essentially was told to get over it. (M/14/FTM)
Story #2716
When I came out I promised myself that I would not deny it if people asked if I were gay, and I even brought up the topic around my classmates indirectly. For a whole year, nobody asked me, but finally, in the beginning of grade 9, I was talking with some friends at school and one of them asked me if I were gay. I didn’t deny or confirm it, but I was being quite obvious. I later confirmed that I was gay to them on text. In June, I came out to my older brother at a pride parade (he wanted to go, I went with him). Still not out to my parents. I know they are transphobic but not sure if they are homophobic as well. (M/15/Gay)
Story #2706
When I came out I was fifteen, despite knowing I was queer for a very long time. I had only identified as transmasc for a year though, and the attraction I suddenly felt for boys was new as well. So it was nerve-wracking, but I had realized I couldn’t live with the dysphoria and pain I felt daily. I wanted literally nothing more than to be seen as a boy, to have a boyfriend, to be finally happy and comfortable. I told two friends first, and it didn’t go over so well, which was discouraging. But I pushed on and I’m glad I did. It was awkward and really weird at first honestly, but over time it got better. It’s been a while, and I don’t have a boyfriend just yet, but in the words of Ethel Cain, if it’s meant to be then it will be. If you’re reading these for motivation to come out, as I did for years before I actually did, this is your sign to go for it! If you know you’re in a safe situation at least, I promise you, it’s worth it. It may be weird, it may be awkward, it may even hurt for a little. But nothing can beat the happiness of living as your true self, I promise. (Male [FtM]/16/Achillean)
Story #2704
When I came out I was eight years old. My family wasn’t thrilled about it and took a while to use the right pronouns. They started by just calling me by my name, then using they/them pronouns, until finally they used he/him. It took years for them to comfortably use the right pronouns, and the past three or four years it’s been completely seamless. It took a while, but once they realized that it wasn’t a phase and that it was what I wanted, they became incredibly accepting. It will be hard at first, but after a while it gets sooo much easier. (M/17/FtM)
Story #2703
When I came out, it was over a text message. I made a massive letter and sent it on the bus with my (very) supportive friends. After school, I saw the reply and my mum said “ok cool”. Honestly couldn’t have wanted a better response haha. My mum even found me trans ftm friends. I now am living my best life as a guy. (M/13/FtM)
Story #2697
When I truly came out for the first time, it wasn’t planned. I’d been struggling with my mental health for a while, and one night, while texting my best friend (who I had already come out to as bi the year before) I let it all out. When he asked how I’d been doing mentally, I told him about my struggles with anxiety and depression and admitted that I had lied about being bi just so a part of me could still feel “normal,” even though I’m just gay, which really isn’t that bad either 🙂 I love you all — remember, you’re not alone in this! (M/18/Gay)
Story #2680
When I came out, I was talking to my friend. I had already come out to myself, and she is one of the only people who is not religious where I live and that is why I could not/cannot come out to my family or other friends. We were in private, and I decided I would finally come out. I got really shaky, and I almost cried a bit, and I said, “You know how I flirt with girls? Well, that is fake.” (I pretended to have huge crushes on girls so that no one would suspect anything. I was also really bad at flirting because I had no actual attraction to them.) She whispered, “So, are you gay?” and I nodded and she said, “Oh my gosh, that is totally OK, that makes so much sense.” That is when the tears really started and I am so grateful for her. She is still really supportive and hasn’t told anyone. I feel so much better. Still haven’t come out to anyone else, because again, everyone is super religious. (M/14/Gay)
Story #2673
When I came out I was twelve and had just gone to high school, which was the first place I ever thought about the word “gay,” as it was frequently used as a joke and insult. My best friend was chill though, and it gave me the courage to come out to my family. If people see this, know that it’s scary but if the people in your life are worth it then they will accept you for who you are lol. (M/15/Gay?)