On Coming Out Pt. II

We’re back with part II of our Coming Out Series, where we share YOUR beautiful, funny, complicated, and relatable coming out stories. If you missed part 1, you can view it here.

Below, we’re sharing 10 new stories you all submitted via Instagram about how you came out and what you felt.

“I came out after watching the YouTuber Connor Franta come out. It was the first time I had heard someone say exactly how I had always felt. I stupidly waited two months to tell anyone so that I could tell my best friend in person over my college spring break and I went crazy waiting! That was right after my 19th birthday in 2015 and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.” -Zach

“I was about 19/20 years old and I had came out to my parents basically over text. I felt like my world was crashing down in that exact moment, like I couldn’t breathe. The first thing my mom said was, “It’s wrong and a sin.” All I wanted was the ‘happy scenario where your parents say they love you no matter what’, unfortunately that wasn’t the case. But in the end it has made me stronger!” -Andrew

“There was an anti-bullying event at my high school when I was 17, so I came out to the six people in my group, which included my best friend and a school administrator, and two of the people in the group told a bunch of people, and by the end of the week about 90% of the student body knew I was gay.” -Omar

“I came out to my mom first as bi but over time I just realized I prefer boys. Coming out was easier at 18 because my eldest brother who passed away from an OD was also gay. It was easy to come out to my mom because she is one of 13 children and two of her sisters are lesbians. My sister continued to make it hard to come out because she tried to drag me out of the closest every chance she got. Coming out to my dad a few months later became easier because he asked me what I was doing one night and I just said I was going to a gay bar. He said “What! Oh you’re gay” and I said yep! Two weeks later I did the walk of shame when my dad was up in the morning and just handed me a box of magnums.” -Brendan, NYC

“I came out when I was a freshman in college (19 years old). I was raised in a Christian home and went to a Christian school. When I came out it was tough- lost some family but gained so much in return through loving myself.” -Joey, Tampa

“I came out at 17 to my parents just before leaving for college in Los Angeles! But I had two weeks between coming out and going to LA to chill, so incase they got dramatic on my ass and I’d have to listen to them moan and groan about it, I planned a last minute trip to London to see friends and skip out on the coming out fallout. So I told them, and that same night took off on my trip then straight to LA. By drama, hi new life.” -Andrew

“Broken hearted, [a] crying mess. Mam: “what happened?” Me: “nothing".” Mam: “tell me why you’re so upset.” Me: “I like boys and one broke me and I don’t want to disappoint you.” Mam: “you’re my son and I will always love you no matter what.” -Aaron

“I came out to my mom when I was 19 years old after taking her to see Legally Blonde the Musical…and she was still surprised I was gay!” -Kyle

“I came out when I was 18 after I saw Adam Rippon perform during his Olmpic debut. I told my parents after building up the courage all day, and they took it very well! I have been very lucky with how well everyone has treated me.” -Ryan, Oak Ridge, TN

“I told some of my closest friends first. When I told my religious family, I did so through a carefully crafted four-page letter, in which I asked them to take their time in their response. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it face-to-face without being able to say all the things I wanted to include. In the letter I told them I am still the same person; the only thing that changes is what my family pictures will look like some day. There were some hurtful comments and ignorant discussions-all part of the process, but some of my family have been supportive. My friends and coworkers couldn’t care less- they love me!” -Thomas, 33

Again, thank you so much for sharing. Stay tuned for more stories in the coming weeks!