When I came out, I discovered that there is more than one stage to coming out. After coming out to friends and family, I learned that the final stage is coming out to gay people. So I attended a gay party where everyone had to get naked together. And once I was nude with the group, I felt warm, excited, and comfortable, and I knew that I was truly out at last. (M/67/Gay)
Story #1921
When I came out to my sister it was completely accidental. Last night she was scrolling through my reddit profile and found a post I submitted to r/lgbt that said I was gay. She came over to me, showed it to me (I died a little on the inside), and patted me on the head. When we took out the dog today we had a chat about it and she said she loved me and swore she wouldn’t tell anyone. I love my twin sis❤️ . Next up are my parents and school. (M/15/Gay)
Story #1919
When I came out my teachers were so much more accepting than my actual genetic family, so I actually started to call my teachers “mom” and “dad”, and when one of them asked about it I started sobbing and telling them how my family didn’t wan’t me to be a trans man and still like men, they wanted me to be a straight female cheerleader like my sister. Eventually my mom started to come around, but even to this day we’re still working on it. If you’re wondering, I was 12 when I first came out and started being myself in my comfortable form. My dad still thinks that I’m faking it for attention, as do some of the kids in my grade (I’m now in 9th grade). To any of the other trans kids whose parents aren’t completely accepting: I know that this is going to be just about the only thing that you’ll hear from other trans role models, but it does get better. Before my family accepted me, we had a lot of tension, and we still do, but it’s up to you whether you’re going to take the initiative and help your family understand that it isn’t a phase. It is not for attention. You are you, and no matter how much they might wish you weren’t, they can never change you. (M/14/Gay)
Story #1914
When I came out to my best friend was recent. She asked if I was gay in a joking matter and I said yes and it took her a while to realize I was serious. She was supportive but now it feels… weird? Like awkward that I don’t have to hide this part of me anymore… (M/Gay)
Story #1913
When I came out to my best friend last night, she talked about how she supports LGBT and just started asking if there were any guys I liked. Later on she told me that she cried about it and was honored that I chose to come out to her first. (M/16/Gay)
Story #1910
When I came out I couldn’t pluck up the courage to say that I’m gay. The thought of uttering those words made me chuckle — who would expect it from me? The nice young man, which all of the parents loved. I’d always jumped though the hoops society had set for me: polite, sporty, Oxford medic. In the end my Dad stated his assumptions and I reluctantly affirmed them. The support and acceptance from my friends and family has meant the world to me.
Story #1909
When I came out it was to my ex, now one of my closest friends. We kinda did a “double confession”. She told me that she was actually they — nonbinary. I told them that I was asexual. They were surprised at first, considering our history, but in the end were very accepting. I’ve come out to a couple other people since then, but close family is for a bit later. I want to be sure of myself before others are. I’m right now in the process of questioning gender and romantic attraction, since I’m pretty sure something’s going on there. 😏 I’m also learning that having doubts is natural, and that regardless of tiny contradictions — or a complete change in orientation — you are still completely valid. ❤️ (M/18/Ace)
Story #1908
When I came out I did it by changing the relationship status on Facebook, because I fell in love with a guy from work – and it was a mutual love. We both like women, we are not interested in other men but we are together because we feel good with each other. In Poland, coming out is still something a bit brave and dangerous but we didn’t have much trouble – our families and most of our friends and colleagues just didn’t give a damn and got over it almost immediately. (M/32/Don’t care)
Story #1898
Cuando sali con mis familiares y amigos fue muy buena ya que antes no podía, por el miedo que se sentía por enfrentarme a ellos para poder decirles la verdad y las reacciones fueron muy buenas. (M/23/Gay)
[“When I came out to my family and friends, it was very good, because before I couldn’t for the fear that I felt about facing them, to be able to tell them the truth, and their reactions were very good.”]
Story #1894
When I came out, I was swimming in a pool with my sister and she was talking about how I suck at naming things. She said, “You should just let your wife… OR husband [with delay] name kids.” I then corrected her. The next day I hung a sign on my door saying “im gay” in rainbow colors. Then pretended to sleep. (M/13/Gay)