When I came out yesterday I told my best friend since elementary school over text. He basically said we’re dogs for life, we’ve been through everything together and he doesn’t care who I’m attracted to. He actually congratulated me for finally figuring myself out and having the courage to be honest. I told my dad over text today and he said he loves me, I can call him anytime to talk about anything and that he’d text me later when he got off work. I still haven’t told my mom. (M/23/Bisexual)
Story #1372
When I came out, I was so scared that my parents would judge me, even though I knew they were (kind of) supporters of the LGBT community. When I finally worked up the courage to tell my mom and dad, they said they loved me the same, which was good, but my mom said something along the lines of “Well, you are only 12, you may be too young to really know…” which was pretty offensive, but she now is completely fine with it (even though I literally came out a month ago xD) I have told almost everyone at school I’m demisexual/demiromantic/gay, and I have lost only 1 close friend 🙂 I’m happy as can be (M/12/Gay)
Story #1361
When I came out, I made a speech for my english final. I presented it today and during the middle of it I started crying. After I said what I was, everything was silent and some people were crying with me. I sat back down and everything felt a lot better. I am still not out to my family though. (M/15/Pansexual)
Story #1356
When I came out it was to my best friend (male) via text. His reaction was that of shock and this caused me to be nervous to the point of having panic attacks the next day. He reassured me it was cool though and we are still best friends over a year later (M/21/Gay)
Story #1351
When I came out to a friend for the first time, I actually got so relieved I decided to tell someone else. My “logic” was that I should tell this guy I was friends with—but he’d been a homophobe—to either accept it or get out of my life. Thankfully, he’d changed and was really accepting, what’d you know. I haven’t told my parents yet cause I don’t want to talk about sex with them, but I know they will be cool about it. (M/17/Gay)
Story #1350
When I came out to my mom last night with my dad it wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for. She didn’t seem to happy about it and she kept questioning why I had these “feelings.” You could say the same thing for straight people and then she got all defensive and said that my feelings weren’t normal. She said she loved me , but I didn’t feel love. I’m just going to keep doing me though. (M/15/Gay)
Story #1349
When I came out to my parents on National Coming Out Day, I was terrified. My parents are both pastors, so I was afraid that they would reject me and take it badly. When I finally got the courage to say the two simple words, my parents reacted far better than I expected. They completely accepted me and told me that they had thought that I may be LGBT in the past. I guess things do typically turn out okay in the end, even if it looks hopeless. (M/12/Gay)
Story #1337
When I came out, I was afraid. I had kept in the truth for three years, as I had read so many stories on abuse and bullying towards the lgbt group. However, when I told my parents, they were alright with it; at first they were confused, but now they are supportive. However, it was the friend issue I had trouble with. At first, I wrote, “I’m gay” on a piece of paper and showed it to a few of my close girl friends. However, one of them went round and told everyone, which was so annoying. I did lose a lot of respect from a lot of guys, but I have become ever closer with all the girls at my school. (M/17/Gay)
Story #1333
When I came out I lost a lot of friends. I first told my mom and she was fine but she thought it was a phase. I told my dad I was bi and he ignored it (denial). Friends stopped liking me and I’m moving out of South Africa after grade 12 for my safety. (I still have my closest friends and I’m the head of a LGBTQ+ group for South Africa’s Youth.) (M/16/Gay as a rainbow)
Story #1328
When I came out my parents weren’t accepting. My mom told me to hide my gayness and my dad refused to talk to me about it. Now I’m open with my school and all my friends accept me. (M/14/Gay)