On Coming Out

We’re starting a new series on the blog today!

We love hearing from you, whether it’s through DM, email, Instagram comments or in the comments on this blog- we love learning you and getting to know your story, which is why we were beyond excited to receive so many messages from you when we asked you to share your coming out experience!

We feel it’s important to share what’s usually the most difficult time in an LGBTQ person’s life because when we share that vulnerable, scary, exhilarating, liberating experience with others, it let’s them know they’re not alone in their pain, in their joy, in their journey. It let’s others know we’re all in this together.

Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for submitting your beautiful stories. We laughed, we teared up, we felt feelings of familiarity, like we wrote some of these ourselves. It’s almost never easy coming out (even if you know you’ll be accepted), but it’s always worth it in the long run. Also! If you didn’t get a chance to submit your story this time, don’t worry. We’ll be asking again in the next couple of weeks since this will be an on-going series on the blog. We want to hear from every single one of you that’s willing to share!

Below, 10 people discuss what their coming out experience was like:

“I came out to my parents when I was 24 and dating a guy for the first time. I finally worked up the courage to drive to their house and tell them, and on the way I got a speeding ticket. Still told them though! Expensive coming out story.” -Jason, NYC

“I had known for a long time but never acted on it and convinced myself that I was to end up with the happy life of wife and children. At 26, I had an experience with a guy that made everything click and that let me know that what I was doing was right and what I wanted. I came out the next day to some fiends at a gay bar we were at while Defying Gravity was playing in the background. It was such a relief as I continued to come out to friends and family over the next few months.” -Tyler, Chicago

“My parents found out because I asked if I could go to a gay senior’s graduation party in high school when I was 15. I was traumatized by how they reacted but my friends and other family got me through it. It was the best thing to happen to me.” -Jed, Delaware

“I was 21 years old when I came out to the first person I ever came out to: my dad. We were sitting in the car and I looked at him and said, “Dad, I’m gay.” I was shaking with excitement and adrenaline as his simple response was, “You waited to tell me you were gay on the day you wore red pants?” I’m blessed to have such understanding parents.” -Mark, Columbus

“I was outed by a cousin who was jealous of me. My parents threw me out. I never looked back and I made it on my own and I’m financially successful and don’t need them for anything. That was when I was 19, almost 20 years ago.” -Jac, London

“I broke up with my boyfriend of eight years and had to tell my brother that he wouldn’t be seeing “my best friend” anymore. My brother’s wife said “Because you guys were together?” And I told them. So my brother, in tears, told me that we were going to sit down together with my parents the next day and tell them together. I was 25. My brother was the one I was most scared to tell, but it turns out he was my best ally and biggest supporter.” -Paul, NYC

“Mine and my husband’s is a weird one. He dated my sister in high school and beginning of college. I regretted it but when I came out I forced him out of the closet. I was angry my sister could not see he was gay when she told me she knew about me all along. Long story short, we got together a few years later and are all good now.” -Tyler, Ontario

“I was 17, and then I was 24. At 17 I told my parents I was gay and they were accepting, but it ended in me thinking it was just a phase, so I was ‘straight’ again. After convincing myself I was straight and just bi-curious and several failed attempts at being with women, I came out again and told my family I had a boyfriend. It wasn’t a phase, and it’s been uphill ever since.” -Brandon, Connecticut

“It happened accidentally. I was writing down ways to tell my parents and left it on the table. My mom found it, and during a commercial break of Trading Spaces she turned and asked me if I was gay. I said, “yes” and she said “okay”. The show came back on and that was that. I felt terrified and relieved all at the same time.” -David, North Carolina

“I always told my mom I was going to a “friend’s” house. At this time in my life I only had friends that were girls. One day I asked to borrow the car to hang out with my “friend” and she turns to me and said, “What’s HIS name?” I panicked but told her his name is Nick. Two weeks later he came over for dinner to meet my family. Six years later we are still together! I was 18.” -Paul, NYC

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