When I came out yesterday night it was to my best friend (who I have known for 7 years). On Instagram I wrote to him telling him I was gay. I switched off the phone and went to bed, but didn’t get much sleep cause my heart was racing. When I woke up the first thing I did was see his message. I was scared thinking I would lose him, but once again I underestimated his awesomeness. He was truly supportive and I am happy to have him in my life. Thanks. (M/15/Gay)
Story #1984
When I came out to my father I was basically disowned. He had been using the possibility of me being gay as a vicious point scoring tirade against my mother during a drawn out and violent divorce. On the day they separated and we all moved out and away, I ended up in a heated argument with him, which lead to me saying in effect I was gay. He said I was no son of his and was siding with my mother. I hardly saw him after that as could not cope with the pain of the divorce and maybe because I felt massively rejected. I never had a chance to reconcile or further discuss the issue as he died a few years later. When I tried coming out to my mother I remembered her crying secretly and also during a conversation about my coming out to a friend while I was in the same house. I still don’t know if he fully understands or accepts I’m gay. (M/45/Gay)
Story #1980
When I came out it was to my mum one night. I hadn’t planned it but she asked if there was anything on my mind and I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I tried to tell her but I couldn’t say the words so I made her guess and I just nodded my head. We talked about it for 40 minutes and she said that she loved and supported me but it would take her a bit of time to be comfortable with it. My dad isn’t the next person I want to tell; hopefully that will go well too. (M/17/Gay)
Story #1979
When I came out I was 12, almost half a year ago… This was to one of my old friends through call since I had moved away a year ago. She was very accepting and then convinced me to come out to my crush at the time, who then tried to convince me to come out my parents but that was really hard. I ended up doing it, then I came out to my whole school. I only got a few blocks on social media but now I am known as the gay kid and that makes me happy. (M/13/Gay)
Story #1973
When I came out 6 months ago as gay to my parents, I’d made a plan to tell them that I was gay for 7 months, so in this year’s summer holidays I finally came out. It was pretty hard because my mother was in shock but my father was really accepting. After at least 5 conversations with them, they are finally accepting me the way I am, but my mom asked me not to tell everyone else. She doesn’t know that they were the last I’m coming out to. I came out to my friend and class 8 months ago and they were so lovely; everyone accepted and supports me the way I am. (M/16/Gay)
Story #1968
When I came out, I was 12 when I told my friends that I was trans, and they said, “Oh that’s cool” but still always called me a girl and used my birth name. I told my parents on the 4th November 2018 and they kicked me out of the house. I’m back home now though, and my mom’s coming around, although my step-dad thinks it’s a massive joke (he thinks the same about my anxiety and depression). I suffer with really bad dysphoria but I haven’t self-harmed since 12th October and I’m very proud of myself. I now get called my preferred name and pronouns at school but my peers are transphobic and bully me. (Male [FtM]/13/Heterosexual)
Story #1964
When I came out it was to my best friend this Halloween. We were trick or treating when we saw this really cute boy passing out candy. My friend whispered, “He’s so hot” to me, and when we left the doorstep and were walking to the next house she said that she wished I was gay so we could both talk about boys together. I was super nervous to tell her but I did about ten minutes later and she was so happy for me. Best Halloween EVER!! (M/12/Gay)
Story #1950
When I came out I wrote my mum a letter. My friend S helped me write it on video chat, and we were both crying. She was saying that she was forever proud of me, and I am so grateful for her. My mum read it late in the night after I placed it. She spoke to me the next morning, and told me that she loves me for who I am, and nothing will change that. (M/21/Queer)
Story #1942
When I came out I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was outdoors with a couple of my friends for a school fundraiser and they were messing around asking dumb questions. One of them eventually turned to me and asked me rapid fire questions such as ” Do you have a girlfriend” and “Do you have a boyfriend?” Eventually I cracked and said I was bi. One of my closer friends was confused and said, “I don’t have many LGBTQ friends.” At the time I had a crush and I was about 80 percent sure that he wasn’t completely straight, so I said that he could possibly be gay. It turns out he wasn’t, but we’re still friends. The original people that I told that I was bi eventually leaked the tea to some of my other friends and now the majority of my friend group knows. I’ve yet to come out to my parents and, even though my family is atheist, I’m scared. (M/13/Bi)
Story #1941
When I came out to one of my friends today we were talking about the LGBT community and he asked me if I had something to tell him. I naturally said no and asked him why. He had thought I was gay. I refused to tell him the truth. A few hours later I texted him and told him I lied and that I was really bi. He laughed, said that he would always support me and made a dumb joke. (M/17/Bi)