I had my first girlfriend in seventh grade. My mom never really said much of anything. I had another two in high school. She shook her head. I didn’t get it. How could my parents seemingly not care?
I then found out my parents’ best friend, Jim, who was also my piano teacher and someone I loved dearly, was gay. No wonder it was no big deal to my parents. But I found out, it was not the same for Jim.
He was in his early forties, and his mother still would not accept him as he was. When he died about five years ago, his mother still could not cope with the fact that her grown son was gay.
My parents supported me without saying a word. I was lucky.

Source: Njrebel.com

I was about 16 and I was a freshman in high school.It was very hard because you could tell i was gay without me showing it.So evry one knew despite several attempts from me at denial.I went through the worst rebelious stage at that point, taking the car and wrecking it, going out with different guys, much older than myself, I was lost and felt there was noone to talk to so my behavior got worst and worst.Finally I got to the point where I was tired of being uncomfortable with myself and getting in trouble and I came out to my grandmother.She didnt care and already knew and seeing how easy that was I went and came out to everyone through text but everyone already knew and luckily, I didnt get any static. I slowly began to become more comfortable and love myself.Now im 19 and im happy.So to all you young men out there your not alone and you have love and support all around you.

I have known I liked men since I was very young (I’m 20 now), That was never a question. The question was always weather or not I liked women at all. About a year to a year and a half ago I found out that I don’t like women in the same way that I like men and I am, in fact, gay. I always thought I was pretty good at hiding my sexual orientation but looking back on it now, many people saw right through it and I just refused to acknowledge it. I’v been asked many times if I am gay, though I am not feminine or flamboyant. But I can be pretty stereotypical, but I never considered it as something that gave me away because that’s just what I like, it’s not because I’m gay. Anyways, when I was very young, before I even knew what it really meant to be gay, my mother used to ask me not to be gay when I grew up. She was not saying this in a mean or offensive way on purpose. She works with many older gay men who she sees without families and in some cases without anyone significant in their lives and she just did not want that for me. So I promised her every time she asked (even once when I was old enough to understand that I did like men) that I would not be gay. I was nervous and unsure of who I really was then but I am not now. And it’s obvious to me now that she said this because she saw signs from a young age that I would be gay. As much as I know she did not mean it in a harmful way, I am having trouble coming out to my parents and others now, in fear that she will not take it well. I don’t want to add more stress in my mother’s already stressful life, but I want to be out, I’m sick of having to hide who I am. I live in Massachusetts, I go to art school, I know my roommates will be accepting (though it will be weird at first). I have come out to five of my closest friends and they all took it very well and nothing has really changed but I have still had to hide my feelings when I am with them around other people, and I really do not enjoy it.

Source: Inspiration Falls

I decided it was time to open the closet door when I had entered into a relationship that seemed like it was going to be a little bit more than experimentation. I really liked this girl and she didn’t deserve to be hidden away. I called my older sister who I never really had been close to but for some reason it just seemed like the right choice. I was afraid of her rejecting me but she welcomed me with open arms. She asked when I knew and who this girl was. She was excited that I found somebody, not what parts they had. Soon after I told the rest of my family at a diner, my sister an I already making inside jokes that none of them understood. She was that helping, understanding hand that I need to take my first step out of that confined darkness.

I was my own victim of stereotypes, and self-denial; my longing to be accepted and loved. Even if that meant sacrificing my own soul and dignity.

I hope others will find my on-going story enlightening, if not in someway comforting.

For me, I found a life outside my closet. A life that transcends the mere sexual aspects of being gay. I was able to find myself.

http://www.straighttothecloset.blogspot.com/

I had always envisioned that once I was out to my parents, I would feel liberated, that a great burden would be lifted. Well, I was forcibly outed a few days ago when my parents found my “adult files” on my computer, and I’ve found no such freedom.

After having a couple of conversations with my parents about it, they’ve come to grips that I am actually gay, that this is not a phase or a passing thing. As predicted, my mom started crying, and asking me if I had fully considered what my life would now mean. I know it’s a small consolation, but I didn’t apologize for being gay. I may be sorry that it came out like this, but I feel like I have nothing to apologize for.

The worst part now, though, is that I’m feeling lonelier than ever. Perhaps it was bad luck that this all happened as I am starting law school far away from my friends and brothers, but I really wish I had someone else to talk to about what I’m going through.

I know that this will be a process; this was just one step in what is going to be a long journey that will last the rest of my life. It may be entirely trite, but all I really want is for someone to tell me it’s going to be ok.

It was other subsequent relationships with guys that I came out to first. Actually to all of them I cam out, but did not actively pursue both sexes until my late 30’s. It was easier to be with men for me, still is, I get all shy when it comes to asking a woman out. Men are easy, simple, I know how to read them better (I think I do anyway).
Because of this ’shyness’, I tend to hook up with couples more than with single women.

It’s a matter of trust and confidence in myself to be with a woman. I tend to think it’s courage that will help me get more dates with women, but I think it’s really about being honest with myself first.