My experience coming out to my friends and family just before the holidays was unique. Rather than talking to everyone personally, I posted on Facebook to spread the word loud and clear to all those online.
Not everyone I am close to is on Facebook, but most are, and I knew a lot of people would see my post. I told my mom in person first and then shared a status with an attached image onto my newsfeed that said “I just wanted to let you all know I’m a lesbian.”
The picture underneath said “I like my men like I like my coffee, nowhere near my vagina.” This status got a lot of likes as well as several sweet comments.
The feeling I had after sharing that status was indescribable. It was exhilarating: I felt lighter. My family and friends were all very proud of me and happy that I can now be my complete self without hiding it.
Most of my close friends weren’t surprised and admired that I finally got the courage to be out and proud.
I knew I’ve liked girls since I was about 10 years old and I lied to myself and my boyfriends about my sexuality for years, so I was done with keeping it in.
I didn’t find it necessary to go about telling everyone separately that I am attracted to women. It really wasn’t a big deal to me; I was just happy to get it off my chest. My straight friends didn’t sit me down and tell me they were straight. I’m gay: so what?
Several friends and some family members asked me questions that I was happy to answer and a lot of people addressed me later to tell they were happy for me.
A couple were confused—maybe more than a couple—but for the most part people were just happy. They were happy that I could be myself, and that’s all that matters.