Gab | 18 | Leeds, England, UK
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I've never really thought of my sexuality or Coming Out as a story until I found this website. My story pretty much starts from birth. For as long as I can remember I've been a lesbian. People challenge me by asking, 'When did you know?', and to them I ask, 'When did you know you were straight?' People seem to have this perception that being gay is a 'thing' and that being straight isn't. I never really intended to come out. I confided in a few friends when I was around 12 that I liked girls but none of them really understood although they were supportive. My downfall was telling someone I believed I could trust who went on to spread it around the whole school. It wasn't long before I was dreading going to school, knowing that even the walk there would mean hurtful insults and names hurled at me. I've been cornered and thrown stones at because of my sexuality. I've been in fights and I've been spat at a few times. There was a period where I refused to go into my town centre with my mum because I knew I'd get more names and abuse and I'd rather have died than have my mum find out. I was terrified. |
"I tried to fight being gay for a long time until I was about 15 or 16 when I finally felt comfortable in my own skin."
I began to see a few girls that I liked and they made me realise that being gay was part of me and that no one could change that. I met my first girlfriend (granted, she turned out to be completely wrong for me but she was still my first girlfriend) and the name calling had stopped; the abuse had ended. I met my current girlfriend last June and we got together quite soon after. She inspired me to come out to my parents. It wasn't easy and it took a couple of hours in the pub and a few more beers at home to pluck up the courage but when I finally told them I cried with relief. My family couldn't be more supportive; they're amazing. My mum's response was, 'I know, will you take me to a gay bar?' Whereas my dad had no clue! You wouldn't know that now though! My girlfriend Lucy and him get on like a house on fire.
"I never ever thought that one day I would ever feel like this and be out and proud. I never expected my family to be as supportive as they are."
I think we all just assume the worst because of all the perceptions of gay people that we're 'not natural', that we're 'freaks', we're this and we're that. It's NEVER as bad as you think it's going to be. I was prepared for the worst and ended up with the best. All it takes is some courage and to be proud of who you are; don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise. Everyone is equal so what gives anyone the right to tell you you're wrong for being yourself? Even if you tell your dog it's still a step forward and you will look back and think, 'Why was I so scared?'. There will always be people to support you. Never be afraid!
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