When I came out, my friends’ reactions ranged from “really?” to “no you’re not.” It was actually kind of enjoyable, and minorly addicting, to come out, because I got to see their reactions and have a weight lifted off of my chest! (M/13/Gay)
Story #2755
When I came out it was about 2am, and I was laying in bed with my mom. I came out to her as bisexual (because I thought it might soften the blow), and since she was raised as very Christian with traditional family structures in the Midwest, she said she’d been dreaming of my future spouse since before I was born. I don’t think she was mad or anything, I think she was more sad or something. I think she’s come to accept it though, and I came out to my dad a few months later, and he was like “Yeah, I know. I kind of always knew” 😭 Apparently I was kinda obvious about it when I was younger haha. Still haven’t come out to my younger sister, though. I’m kinda scared she won’t even understand. 🙁 (M/16/Homosexual)
Story #2740
When I came out it felt so freeing. It’s only been 2 months since I first came out to my best friends, but the more people I’ve come out to (8 friends currently) the more I find myself to just not care as much anymore and come out a lot more easily. And I’ve finally mostly accepted myself for the first time and my advice is if you have close friends that you love, and they love you, it gets better when you come out to them. I know it’s scary, but it gets easier every time and if you have friends that accept you your life gets easier. Haven’t come out to my mom yet and probably never will come out to my dad 🙁 (M/16/Gay)
Story #2739
When I came out as bi (to son and bi daughter), it was a couple months after my wife/their mom passed. Wife knew I was bi. Both kids very accepting/supportive. (M/65/Queer)
Story #2738
When I came out to my best friend about a year ago, he was a little confused, but supportive, and now I talk to him about all the guys I have crushes on and we joke and laugh about it. More recently I came out to my school counselors, and honestly I had figured they already knew, but they didn’t. They knew I had something I wasn’t comfortable telling them, and that it was the source of my high levels of anxiety and depression, but after telling them I saw everything just click into place and it was really validating and satisfying to find out how supportive they are. And now they want updates on if I start talking to someone lol. It is nice to know that there are people in my hometown of less than a thousand mostly Christian people that accept me for me. (M/16/Homosexual)
Story #2736
When I came out I was just casually gaming with my best friend, when he suddenly out of nowhere asked, “Are you gay?” I had an internal oh shit moment and then decided to answer truthfully, because I’m a bad liar. We rarely-never spoke about it and that was all. But the emotional stress in that situation was unbelievable. (M/Gay)
Story #2732
When I came out, I was at Glastonbury festival watching a band. This bloke started making lude comments to the artist. I said between songs that you are not her type. He replied, drunk, so are you. I said no. A woman said that she was gay. When this man started saying that all gay people shouldn’t be able to attend Glastonbury, they should be forced to leave, I said are you going to make me leave then for being gay. People around were saying good for you in standing up for yourself and others. One of my friends just said I don’t suppose you wanted to come out like that. Nothing else was said. We still have a good friendship and go to gigs. (M/52/Gay)
Story #2725
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)