Coming Out Conversations

The 11th of October is National Coming Out Day here in the UK and we’ll be sharing your stories. First up, Rosie lets us know of her experience...

My name's Rosie, I’m sixteen and I'm writing this to share a bit about me, my experience finding my way in the world and to encourage others, young or old, to share their experiences and open up. 

I didn't come out until I was 13, not because I didn't know about it - I knew I was bisexual from the age of ten - but I had a fear of being rejected by my family. And that fear controlled who I was for almost three years. During this time I watched my friends coming out with a mixture of responses from relatives. One of my friends was even kicked out of their house. I had been planning my coming out for weeks, I did some research and found the perfect way to tell my mum. The night before I only got three hours of sleep because I was so anxious. Then when morning came, my mum had hardly woken up when I told her I was into girls. There was a brief pause and she replied with a simple “okay”. I began to cry, which quickly turned into hysterical laughter. I was so silly to be scared! And I knew in that moment that she would be accepting of me. It wasn't the most glamorous, or memorable, but it's always a day that'll stick in my head. The rest was plain sailing from there. Over time my whole family knew. 

Not everyone who found out about my sexuality was accepting though. At secondary school I was mocked and bullied online and offline, all because of who I am. Which has led me, even now, to not feeling completely comfortable showing affection towards my girlfriend in public. But thankfully I had an amazing friendship group and role models who accepted me for who I am. The negative, hurtful comments made me grow as a person, and figure out who I am. I have learnt to ignore the bullies and the haters and it has made me want to fight even more for LGBTQ+ youths and adults who may be experiencing problems with coming out. I’ve even made an Instagram account that is there for anyone who may need advice! I’ve also been really inspired by a YouTuber  called Jessie Paege. She shares a lot of helpful videos and posts about coming out, so if anyone out there needs some help or advice, watch her videos! 

I hope this blog has helped people of all ages feel more confident in themselves. Remember to stay safe, and know that there’s no rush in coming out. Do it when you feel comfortable and it feels right for you. 

Want to share your coming out story? Send us a DM on Insta @NCS!!