Was your coming out a positive or negative experience?

Question

My coming out was very positive. Both my family and friends reacted calm and openminded. I suppose that it's less of an issue where I live, but I imagine it's more difficult in conservative countries/cultures/classes. How was yours?

Answer 1

Mine was a process of tiny steps, but I've never regretted any step I took. I guess I waited until I was ready for the next step, and so I knew it wouldn't be traumatic.

Answer 2

Overall, it was really positive. I was really scared and worked myself up to a frenzy and almost backed out. When I did it, there were a few that were distant for a while, but overall, all was good. The next day, although I felt great that I did it, I realized that not all that much had changed. I had, on the inside, but life seemed to go as usual. I realized that's how it should be, my sexuality shouldn't change how the world looks or feels. Too bad the rest of the world doesn't see it that way.

Answer 3

I did not come out of the closet. I was brought out of the closet. After my ex-boyfriend at the time tired to overdose. He was in the hospital when he told my sister. Then it got to my mom. Then is was spreaded throughout the family. My best friend at the time. Called my up one day and said how do you like you life? Although I did not understand what she meant by that. But after talking some more I understood the question. She told me in fact she was a lesbian.

My mom had a rough time with it at first. But then she came to grips with everything. She went to gay prides with me. She went to a club with me two nights in a row. For my birthday.

My brother who is eight years younger than I am. He was beside me for a while for years as well.

Some said they knew. Some said they did not believe it. Some said they were OK with it. Some never knew at all, or still do not know that I was ever.

Yes, that is right. Was. I am not gay anymore. I recently (in the past few months) had my life turn around in front of my face without any control.

You would think that after being homosexual it would be easy to come out as being heterosexual. Not for me. Actually it is the same process. I just don't understand.

Answer 4

I've only come out to a few people. For the most part it was a relatively positive experience. I did, however, loose my best friend of 16 years over it. But in retrospect I do not feel that a TRUE friend would have completely turned their back. Maybe disagree and not approve but would have never turned their back.

Answer 5

I get a laugh out of questions like this. The most difficult thing I experienced was...ME! I was married, with two kids, loved my wife like you wouldn't believe, but loved a man to an extreme...he brought me out (I brought myself out, I am not kidding myself) at 28 years old. I kept it to myself, loved my lover intensely, loved my wife...etc. Ended up in a pile of guilt so deep I couldn't see my way out. After 4 years of hell, I sat my wife down, told her the entire story, all she said was, "It can't be both of us any longer, you have to choose." She also told me that if it had been another woman, I would be dead.! I tried, but could not live without the guy, so my wife and I parted on very good terms, to this day, we are best friends. We raised the boys as a team, I had them 4 days, she had the 3. I lived with my lover...16 years. ONce past the hell, I have had a great life. Would I do the same again...probably. I have two great sons from my life. All in all, my coming out was very positive. My mother was told when I separated from my wife. I am not saying she was delighted...but she accepted it...I left her no choice. And I have been as happy as anyone else for many years...ups and downs, we all go through them. But I wouldn't trade my life, then or now, with anyone. My advice to people is... Do NOT come out before it is time to do so, and it is NEVER time to do it when in high school..too much pain from the taunting and jeering of ignorant school mates. Keep it to your self until such time you are on your own, and really, it is no one's business but yours. Good luck

Answer 6

I have yet to "come out" to many people yet. I have gotten mixed reactions, but over all positive.

Where I live it's not very open-minded, but if you find the right people (that think about why they have that opinion) it all works out fine in the end. It's also very hard to come out as bisexual due to the myths and heat from both sides. But you do what you have to do.

Link to OutProud for coming out stories & reactions:
http://www.outproud.org/
(you can also write your coming out story down to share with others here and the reaction you got)

Answer 7

My coming out experience...the actual COMING OUT...was rough..but the fact that i did it when i was 10...made it a shock to my parents...they didnt really know what to say ...my mom fainted...didnt speak to me for a while..and my step-dad began to hate me from that day on. but...now...im a better person..and my relationship with my family is a lot stronger..they watched me grow not only as their son..but also with the knowledge that i was gay. so they learned from me at the same time.

Answer 8

dear bart... u c.. every1 is difrent.. as a gamer ive exp alot of predujizzes.. what realy maters i8s taht u stay tru 2 who u r.. ne1 taht makes fun of u 4 taht is a toal............ U R A F A G

Answer 9

Didn't have any problems in New York State; all my friends were cool, my family's been cool (so far; haven't done extended yet).

Answer 10

mine was horrible..my mom said that i wasnt allowed to bring my partner to my parents house...that they would be unwelcome...my dad called me a disgrace and an embarrassment...i lost my best friend....but i have some friends who love and support me no matter what..,my grandmother was ok with it, and she enjoys meeting my gf's.