On Coming Out Pt. IV
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Happy Friday, friends!
We’re back with part IV of our Coming Out Series here on the blog, where we share YOUR beautiful, funny, complicated, and relatable coming out stories. If you missed part I, you can view it here, part II here, and part III here.
Below, we’re sharing eight new stories you all submitted via Instagram about how you came out and what you felt. Check them out, and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more stories! As always, thank you for being so brave and sharing your lives with us. You’re helping more people than you know.
“I was 17, the internet was new, and I didn’t know about clearing the browser history. My dad’s secretary saw the websites I’d been visiting. It was a shit show afterward but it motivated me to stand up for myself, which I had never done before.” -Nathan, CA
“I was one of those over involved ally’s and was like yeah I’m probably gay because Demi Lovato shouldn’t be this beautiful. When I was 15, I wrote on the bottom of a mug at Thanksgiving one year that said ‘I’m here and queer’ and drank out of it until everybody noticed, which was pretty quick. It was pretty funny but I definitely felt the weight of the world coming off my shoulders and some not so nice, close-minded relatives’ (who still have yet to come around since) judgment, but they didn’t say anything.” -Ava
“My coming out story is a little different. I came out my freshman year of college (when I was 18) and everybody was so warm and accepting even though I went to a Christian university (being a musical theatre major helped I think). That summer I came home planning to come out to my family but it never actually happened. Conversations just changed because they always knew. I didn’t have the traditional coming out with my family and I’m okay with that because they are loving and accepting and still trying to find me a boyfriend 😂.” -Brendan, New Milford, 25.
“It’s a process that never stops and I still haven’t come out to my family, but I first came out to my best friend when I was 14. I couldn’t actually say the word ‘gay’ and I found ways to get hm to say it first. He reacted well and I have had mostly positive reactions from anyone I’ve ever told- even some of my more religious friends who were more conflicted about it were accepting of me. It is really amazing to see how much the world has changed in the last decade or so since I first came out till now, and I hope one day no one feels like they have to ‘come out’ or label themselves.” -Drew, Texas, 21
“I was actually outed by an ex girlfriend from high school when she found out I was dating a guy. She told both of my parents and my mom was the most amazing and supportive person ever. On the other hand, my dad wasn’t. My dad and I don’t speak anymore but I have made some of the most amazing friends that have become my chosen family and I couldn’t be happier.” -Anthony
“I came out at the age of 28 a few months after getting divorced from my wife. My family and friends were incredibly supportive! Been with my boyfriend for seven months now and couldn’t be happier!” -Jordan, NC, 29
“I completely came out when seeking asylum in Canada, as my home country (Indonesia) is persecuting LGBTQ people. It was last year on my 30th birthday, and it felt so liberating! I’d been out to friends for years, but it was the first time I let my big family know- by writing a blog about it (zulfikarfahd.com). My family texted me; some said they’re sad that I ‘decided’ to be gay, but some others said they could accept my ‘choice’. -Zulfikar, Canada
“I came out to my best friend first when I was 21, and then over the few weeks after, to friends and family, resulting in the loss of some relationships. I had mixed reactions, from ‘we love you so much and support you,’ to ‘you need to figure out what happened to you as a child and get past this.’ The toughest thing is that coming out never stops, as anytime you meet a new person, eventually if you spend enough time with them, you’ll have to come out once more, and you never know what someone’s reaction will be. I take the good with the bad and I love myself, being true to who I am.” -Brad
