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Dec 17, 2009 9:40 AM
#1
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Some answered this question in the "When did you discover yourself" or "Your Sexual Orientation" topics but I think is a really important point in our lifes and it deserves it's own topic.

So, when did you come out to friends and/or family as gay, lesbian or bisexual and what was the reaction?
Coming out made you feel better or were you comfortable being in the closet?
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Dec 23, 2009 5:48 AM
#2

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Oct 2008
272
I don't know if I ever even "came out". I noticed I had developed an interest for both genders fairly early on into my life, and never really saw anything wrong with it. I've always been talking about stuff homophobes would be uncomfortable with, with my friends of the same gender, and it's just been like that - everyone's been cool with it, whether they've felt like I've been joking around or whether they've taken me seriously. (Of course, my important friends know about my sexual orientation anyway).

As far as my relatives and parents are concerned - whether the former, as a larger group, know about my "normality" or lack thereof is unimportant, but I think I have told most who have asked. My mother has always been open-minded about stuff (she had some lesbian relationships in her early 20s, or so I heard) and I don't think she has ever cared much, though I did tell her that I'm attracted to both genders when I was like...16? My dad, though, got to know this on accident, when a random sexuality-related topic was being discussed at some person's 50-year birthday party, and I just "confessed" that I'm a bi, out of the blue. This was when I was 18, less than two years ago. Like I said, I don't consider myself abnormal, thus I don't need to go around saying I'm a bi-sexual.
Dec 25, 2009 9:26 AM
#3

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Dec 2008
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I was never "in" :-)

I was always attracted to my own gender as far back as I can remember, though for me it was exclusive that I was gay, no desire to be bi... many of the ones I was around where I grew up were "either/or". It was just friendship plus more if you wanted it, or survival, a job...what you had to do.

No parents or relatives, so there was no influence in that way. I attached to the man I am still with now very early so I have "always been". It was no matter for in or out, it simply was. And honestly I never thought about it one way or the other, because it is as natural to me as breathing.

Still we are fortunate to live where we do nearby Berlin, Germany where what other people do sexuality is a matter of their own interpretation for most. In or out of the closet, ones I have known who've had a problem with (from my observation anyway) seemed to feel distress because of family or religious influence and pressure about their preference. Not always the case, but it really seemed to be majority in the small percentage of those I've met with difficulties.
Dec 27, 2009 1:54 AM
#4

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May 2008
107
I live in a homophobic environment so coming-out is not an easy thing if you don't plan to sacrifice anything. My first coming-out was like year ago but it was a failure. That friend who knows that I'm lesbian has to tell me every time we meet that it would be better for me to be heterosexual. She doesn't want to listen to anything about it etc.
Few other friends know about it too. They accepted it but I wouldn't say that it helped me in any way. They just stopped asking me whether I have a boyfriend.
My parents, teachers, classmates - I can't tell them that I'm lesbian. They always criticize gays so I doubt that they would accept me. Oh well...
Dec 28, 2009 5:13 PM
#5

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Nov 2007
187
To paraphrase something I read somewhere at some point - "You never finish 'coming out'."

And, I agree. you never really do - their is always someone you aren't "out" to. Be it someone at work, school, home, etc.
That being said, many of my close friends know I am gay. And were certain members of my family to ask, I would not hesitate to say it. Other people, I don't feel I should tell, even if asked about such.

Overall, the only people I feel have to find out at some point are my parents and my partner. And my parents/immediate family will find out when I have said partner.

As it is, I see no need to tell them. Really.
Jan 5, 2010 3:29 PM
#6

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Jan 2010
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i was great at keeping the fact that im bi a secret and i was perfectly fine with it. no one i knew in real life knew my secret except for the few i was with. but my most recent relationship... my lover wasnt happy with keeping it a secret she would make sure her preference was obvious. her parents didnt know though.

i told her it was to be a secret no matter what. she didn't listen. she told her sisters and people at school (she was the new kid who lived wif me becuz they lost their home) that she was with me.

she blurted out that she was with me one day to her dad, who spazed and told my mother. my mother told every relative of me and i went through hell. after all that we broke up a while later becus we were tired of being harassed by are family. (^ -.-)^
AcidBlackCherryFeb 27, 2010 2:58 PM

Jan 6, 2010 6:40 AM
#7

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464
I came out to my friends and classmates last year (I'm a bisexual guy). It's okay I guess, I do live in a homophobic environment, so it's "just don't talk about it and we're okay" reaction. :/
Jan 24, 2010 9:21 PM
#8

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Aug 2008
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Well, im neither 'in' nor am i 'out' i guess im inbetween. I came out to my little brother durring the spring (who not even five min earlier told me he was bi) then my best friend. After i told her well, she was the one who told every one of my friends for me. (Thanks Holly) Then later my parents went through my diary and found out (I hate 10 hour drives to nowhere talking about the future) needless to say WHEN i come out to them i WILL be kicked out. No exceptions. The rest who know would be my dads mom (And I will forever love you for accepting me grandma) and my friend who is now trying to cheer me up. (Love ya Zeba)

My life here is crazy, but I wouldnt be the Fag I am today with out the crazy in it! ^_^
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Jan 24, 2010 9:41 PM
#9

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Jun 2008
1359
Officially? Last February. Mentally? Months beforehand.
Jan 28, 2010 2:57 PM

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Jul 2009
70
i still dont know ! ^-^
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Feb 9, 2010 8:30 PM

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Nov 2009
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I don't think I was ever 'in'. I believe that I realize it in a dream.

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Feb 18, 2010 12:40 AM

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Feb 2010
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uhm, so i'm new and didn't really know how to start with actually participating with the club..so I thought here would be a nice start (:

I'm not really sure if I ever really progressed into "coming out" I just kinda was out? I officially talked with my mother about the situation at the age of 13 after an incident that happened at a birthday party sleepover.[ we played "house" ;) ] I thought it was "weird" that I was not really attracted to males and more so females in more than friendship way. My parents were really ok with it. Hell, our next door neighbors at the time, and my mothers best friends for a long time were lesbians. XD

Once I got into high school my parents would playfully tease me all the time about my sexual orientation. I was rather open about it all throughout school. I would get very hot and in depth with debates in class over the Christian and/or biblical viewing of homosexuality scandals. :D My junior year of high school I got sent home for wearing a shirt that simply stated " I <3 girls".. of course my argument got shot down on how it should be allowed. Apparently wearing a shirt with a half naked girl sitting on a beer bottle is ok over that short sentence with no visual effects.
Feb 27, 2010 2:15 PM

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Oct 2007
3705
Wow Avian, that was a brave thing to do to wear that shirt :O if someone here did that then chances are they'd get severely beaten ;__;

I came out to my closest friends this thursday in fact. Two of them said "I kinda knew already", and two of them took several hours to convince that I wasn't joking xD I don't plan on ever telling my parents or my siblings though.
Feb 27, 2010 3:06 PM

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Jan 2010
678
Kuromii said:
Wow Avian, that was a brave thing to do to wear that shirt :O if someone here did that then chances are they'd get severely beaten ;__;

I came out to my closest friends this thursday in fact. Two of them said "I kinda knew already", and two of them took several hours to convince that I wasn't joking xD I don't plan on ever telling my parents or my siblings though.


when some people found out I was like, "how did you already know!? 'o' i had no idea until a few months ago"
lol apparently I was way too touching XD

Feb 27, 2010 5:35 PM

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Jul 2008
1237
I guess you could say I "came out" when I confessed to my best friend when I was 15.. which was one of, if not the biggest mistake, of my life, ever. She had told me she felt the same, then called me the next day crying and saying we could never be together and that I was going to end up burning in hell... because she told her mother about it and she heavily opposed to it. Even some of the friends I told said they couldn't be friends with me anymore because it just wouldn't be the same.. overall a horrible experience so I guess you could say I "went back in" the closet after that and told everyone I was just confused. So next time I'm going to wait until I fall for a girl who won't make me feel like shit for being the way I am =) Until then I'll just stick with guys.
Feb 27, 2010 9:50 PM

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Jan 2010
678
Crycho said:
I guess you could say I "came out" when I confessed to my best friend when I was 15.. which was one of, if not the biggest mistake, of my life, ever. She had told me she felt the same, then called me the next day crying and saying we could never be together and that I was going to end up burning in hell... because she told her mother about it and she heavily opposed to it. Even some of the friends I told said they couldn't be friends with me anymore because it just wouldn't be the same.. overall a horrible experience so I guess you could say I "went back in" the closet after that and told everyone I was just confused. So next time I'm going to wait until I fall for a girl who won't make me feel like shit for being the way I am =) Until then I'll just stick with guys.


well that doesnt sound too fun. I dont get how you would look so different. your still the same person whether they know or not. (oh yeah im your stalker missy :3)
I did that "went back into the closet" thing when it comes to my family but now when it comes to anything else, if it comes up, Im not afraid to hide it lol I have no friends though so I really dont have to worry. I have half naked chick posters and stuff so Im pretty sure my family knows now but decided its nothing to discuss.

Feb 28, 2010 1:42 PM

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Oct 2007
3705
Crycho said:
I guess you could say I "came out" when I confessed to my best friend when I was 15.. which was one of, if not the biggest mistake, of my life, ever. She had told me she felt the same, then called me the next day crying and saying we could never be together and that I was going to end up burning in hell... because she told her mother about it and she heavily opposed to it. Even some of the friends I told said they couldn't be friends with me anymore because it just wouldn't be the same.. overall a horrible experience so I guess you could say I "went back in" the closet after that and told everyone I was just confused. So next time I'm going to wait until I fall for a girl who won't make me feel like shit for being the way I am =) Until then I'll just stick with guys.

That's so sad! Your preferences shouldn't change how people think or feel about you :(
Jun 5, 2010 10:13 AM

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Aug 2008
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I don't think I've ever really "come out" per say. I knew I had romantic feelings for my best friend, who was a male (as am I) in high school, but I wasn't sure what to make of it exactly. I eventually stopped feeling that way about him because we grew apart after we both graduated, and I never really had any reason to think back upon my sexuality up until a couple of years ago. I realized I was bisexual and that's all there was too it.

Not too many people know. Close friends and that is about it. My mother would likely have a cow. My dad would actually be supportive likely seeing as how he is too, yet I don't really feel the need to tell him.
Jun 15, 2010 6:26 AM

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Nov 2007
187
Just made my first inroads to coming out to family members. I told my cousin last night.


We were sitting out on his back porch, having some coffee and a cigar (which he gave me for my birthday). The subject of dating came up. And I contributed what I could to the conversation, but finally got tired of trying to sound interested about girls.

I made my move. I just looked at him and said "well, just to let you know, I'm gay, so...". He acknowledged it, and then went right back to the conversation. Didn't bat an eye. I was really touched. And I couldn't help but point out how nonchalant he was about it. I said "doesn't surprise you, does it?"

He said no. And said the only time he was ever surprised about something of that sort was when he found out his brother was bi. Which I only recently found out...via this same cousin. So I tend to forget.


So, one family member down. I have no qualms telling my other cousin (the bi one) for obvious reasons, were it to be brought up.
As for other family members? I guess it will just come with time.
Jun 20, 2010 8:16 PM

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Nov 2008
752
I'm not really out yet, but so far 16 people I know(surprisingly only 1 of them are openly against it) in real life and my mom know about me being transgender and sexually attracted to men. =x
Jun 21, 2010 12:43 AM
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Jun 2010
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I came out to one of my friends when I was 16. We both came out to each other. I came out to another friend at 17 who outed me to everyone else at my highschool. Then at 19 I officially came out to everyone else I know including family. My mom took it the hardest but she has over the years accepted me and my husband(I'm 33 now). In college I went back into the closet for a time but I told my closest friend when we became roommates. At my first job after college I was in the closet. They were extremely homophobic. Then just before I left there a guy I knew in college got hired there who was openly gay. He changed things at that company. I felt stupid for hiding my sexuality and regretted not doing it. So ever since then I have been out to literally everyone. Coworkers, family, friends and anyone that cares to know anything about me. I think I have lost the chance of getting hired at a few studios because of it but its worth it to me. I couldn't live any other way.
Feb 26, 2012 11:50 AM

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Oct 2009
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I came out in 9th grade, which is like six years ago!
Feb 28, 2012 6:35 AM
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Dec 2011
51
i havent come out yet :o
Feb 28, 2012 6:49 AM

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128
I came out to my parents about this time last year and I only recently came out to everyone else a few weeks ago. I posted that I was on facebook and I got loads of likes and comments. It was a better reaction than I expected :D
Mar 16, 2014 5:44 AM
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Apr 2010
7
Well... I'm not 100% out yet.
My parents had always thought I was a lesbian, from the veeerrrry beginning. So when I was just a child, they were always saying things like... "It's okay if you turn out to like girls. Nothing is wrong with that" , "Years ago there was this girl that said that you were going to marry a girl when you were older. She could see the future" blablabla.
I personally felt really uncomfortable with that, since I hadn't noticed anything yet myself. I was just like "why are you saying that? I don't like girls.."
But they kept doing that for years and years and years ;D In the end I started to ignore it.

And then when I was 13 I had a best friend... and damn how did I not notice it... but I was always just staring at her... and at her boobs... and I actually did say stuff about that... like that she was pretty and all. So one day she said to me that I was a lesbian and I was sitting there like "what? you too? I'm not." (Not that I was homophobic or anything, but I just really didn't think so).
But she didn't believe it and kept saying it.
Then there was this one time when she wanted to take a bath together... but I was really nervous, because I'm really insecure about myself... but she just told me over and over again that she wanted to take a bath and that I shouldn't be worrying so much and just do it. So I took a bath with her, and.. of course.. couldn't help staring.
In the end we weren't really friends anymore, we grew apart. But there was this one day when she came to my house, when we weren't really friends anymore... and she suddenly said that she wanted to take a picture of us kissing ( just a normal innocent kiss). But I didn't mind... at all, so we did that haha. ( How did I not notice it.. really.)

And then a year later, when I was 14 years old... there was this girl at school who thought she was bisexual... and she came out to us ( she was a friend and just told us). ( and everyone was cool with it by the way. )
And actually that was around the time that I was also confused about if I was bisexual too or not, but I didn't say anything yet. Except for one girl. I was talking with her about it a lot and she was helping me a lot with what I should do and all. So we talked about telling our friends at school, but at first I was too scared for that. After a while I decided to also tell them that I was bisexual, or at least thought so. And I only told them. Everyone was fine with it of course.

But then the next day some girls came up to me.. asking if it was true that I was bisexual and all. And that happened in every single break we had. For daaaays. So obviously one of my friends was talking about me. I disliked that very much and hoped they would stop soon.
But I had two friends ( one of them was the one who helped me, and the other was the first friend I made at school) who were always together and acting like they were lesbian, even though they weren't. Just for the fun. But there were a lot of people who suddenly started to say things to those two, because of the rumors that were going around because of me... so I finally snapped xD
I walked to my biology teacher and told her that I was actually bisexual, but that everyone at school was just asking me about it again and again... and that they didn't leave my friends alone anymore either. So I asked her if I could just tell my class that afternoon that I was bisexual, and she was okay with it.
So that afternoon when we had biology that teacher told a whole story about sexuality and transgender and all, and then she said that we had "someone in this class that needed to say something about it"...
I was so scared xD But I walked up to the front and just told them that I was bisexual, but my friends weren't , so if they could just leave them alone.
I let them ask questions and after that nobody ever ever ever asked me again at school.

I did have a boyfriend when I was 13 by the way, and I did like some guys over the years, so I wouldn't say that I am a lesbian or anything.
When I was 15 I was interested in a guy, but that didn't last long at all.. and I didn't want to do anything.
Then when I was 16 there was another guy... and things happened between us, but I actually didn't want that and... I really disliked that.
( I've had a few girl crushes in the meantime, but nothing happened)
After that... I started to think about my sexuality again and I really couldn't make up my mind. Was I bisexual? Was I perhaps a lesbian after all? I really didn't know.
I started to talk with a girl and I kinda liked her, and she liked me back.. but in the end she turned out to be a player... so yea.
But since I did like her... I told my "older brother" (he wasn't my real brother, but he lived with us, so I saw him like that) about it... and then he was in shock all being like "you like girls? that's a girl right? Do your parents know?"
and I said no, since I never told them ( even though they do think that already)
and then he told me that if I wouldn't say it to them, he would do it. So I got scared and then I told my parents that I liked someone. And they asked me what his name was. So I said her name....
and I thought they would say something about that it was a girl, but they didn't at all. They just asked me where she lived and if I had a picture of her.
It was really, really embarrassing. And the day after that my dad told my "older sister"( same story as the older brother) that I finally told them and all.
And my sister later on told me that he seemed really proud haha...
Oh I do have a little brother who already knew ( my real brother) ... but I don't really remember anything from when I told him.. but he was okay with it.

I've had one crush after that, on a boy though, and I really liked him. He might be the first person that I actually really really liked.. but once again nothing happened.
And now I am .. 19 years old. No real experience or anything... but yea..

I still don't know for sure what I am. I'm guessing that I'm bisexual with a preference or girls ( except for anime.) , but actually I started to hate labeling myself...
( I had a friend on my last school who was a lesbian and she just kept changing her opinion about me. We almost always talked about girls... but she would always change between "You are such a lesbian" "do you really think you're bisexual? You really seem pretty much gay to me." and " You're such a bisexual" "You're not really a lesbian are you? You seem more like a bisexual to me" and "maybe you're pansexual? Could you be in love with a transgender? "
It drove me crazy. Really I got soooo confused about myself in that year.... I really don't know what to think anymore.
So I just like who I like...
and well yea my coming out stories weren't that bad... everyone accepted me so yea

The only thing is.. I didn't tell the rest of my family. And with a reason. My grandma ( from my father's side of the family) is really... ... really... yea how to say that... kinda homophobic? She's a person who thinks you should always look good, have expensive clothes, that a man and a woman need to be together blablabla.
And one day she was really bad mouthing it when I was with her, so I just kept my mouth shut. I won't tell her until I have serious relationship with a girl.
I don't tell the rest of my family because EVERYONE just tells THE WHOLE FAMILY when they know something -.- so if I tell 1 person, the whole family knows it in 1 hour.

Such a long story, I'm sorry xd
Jul 12, 2016 5:15 AM

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I was pretty sure I was asexual and aromantic and when I was 24-25 I realised I am into this 1 girl. I did not find other people attractive at all. The only thing I am attracted to is my current girlfriend and I am asexual towards the rest of the world. I am demi or lesbian for this one girl. Near other sexualities I usually feel like an alien from planet of Gethen ('The Left Hand of Darkness', science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin), who needs to explain why I do not have any favourite actresses, singers or models and when I answer 'what type of girl is your type?' questions.
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