Coming Out Stories: HuffPost Readers Share Their Experiences (PHOTOS)

To celebrate LGBT History Month, we invited you to share your own coming out stories on National Coming Out Day 2010 (Oct. 11).

We received hundreds of submissions -- some heartbreaking, some heartwarming, some downright hilarious, but all affirming the imperative to "come out" against hate and celebrate those who fearlessly embrace who they are.

You can peruse the full collection of coming out stories here, but we've highlighted some of the best below. Thanks to all the members of the HuffPost community who had the courage to share.

PHOTOS:

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My Dad Came Out Too!

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When I came out my father threatened to shoot me. I was stunned that my typically liberal father would react that way. A year later I learned that he had struggled his whole life with his own sexual identity. Fast forward a few years and everyone is finally living an authentic life, and much happier about it. (T4Obama)

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When I came out my father threatened to shoot me. I was stunned that my typically liberal father would react that way. A year later I learned that he had struggled his whole life with his own sexual identity. Fast forward a few years and everyone is finally living an authentic life, and much happier about it. (T4Obama)

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JustJoy7 said on 17 Sunday 2010 pm31 12:51 pm: Parents who kick their child out because they are gay are parents that think being gay is a choice. They kick the kid out and are in denial because they can't grasp that THEY made the child. The child did not put in an order to be gay. Being gay really is the way one is born; however, there are those who choose the gay life because they want to. For those, it really is THEIR choice. My feeling is that there are FAR MORE people who are gay and hide it because of society. That is validated by the number of people who are either exposed or just ease out. As my avatar portrays, being gay is WORLDWIDE. Make no mistake, that is true. I am a mother and grandmother and loved as if I were a piece of crystal by my partner of many years who is 24 years my junior. I came out late and instantly squared my shoulders and looked family and friends in the eye and told them. I am too adult to have done it any other way. Not a single person rejected my. I guess I am blessed.

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1 of 18

Comments

[carnitine]

12:03 PM on 11/30/2010

I had a friend do that to me. We are no longer friends.

[Tails]

09:36 AM on 11/30/2010

I came out to my best friend on my high school baseball team.

He looked me right in the eyes, smiled and said, "Me too."

We're still together.

[jerryatthebeach]

07:13 PM on 10/24/2010

So many people don't come out but want gay sex. Just look on Craigs list.. HAHA!!

[Vincent McClean]

08:36 AM on 11/30/2010

I AGREE THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE NEVER STOOD UP FOR GAY CIVIL RIGHTS, THEY JUST WANT SEX OF ALMOST ANY KIND. CLOSET CASES DISGUST ME, THEY HAVE NO SPINE, AS A GAY MILITARY RETIREE, I SUPPORTED GAY ISSUES AT MY RISK BUT SURVIVED THE OSI WITCH HUNTS. I DONT UNDERSTAND ALL THE GAY SUICIDES IN AN AGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND ANY GAY GROUP, CITY OR CONNECTION ANYWHERE. WHEN I WAS YOUNG I WAS IN A TINY WESTERN TOWN---WITHOUT SEEMING COARSE OR UNSYMPATHETIC SOME GAYS NEED TO MAN UP AND STOP BEING CRY BABIES TO SOME DEGREE. THEY HAVE RESOURCES MY GENERATION ONLY DREAMED OF!!!

[LynnW49]

03:12 PM on 10/20/2010

"I'm pretty sure that teacher saved my life."

And I am pretty sure that the religious right would have had her drawn and quartered.

[Lexi Suarez]

01:16 AM on 10/19/2010

I'm still trying to find the courage to come out to my mother. Two family members know, and my co-workers, but until I tell my mother I don't feel comfortable telling anyone else. I don't want her to hear it from someone else, but I can't seem to do it myself. I was going to do it on Coming Out day, but then found out she was having surgery the next day. Don't know how much longer I can deal with the stress this is causing me. Thank you for these inspiring stories, they are helpful to someone like me.

[chaapai]

01:01 AM on 10/19/2010

I was training for a career in law enforcement. In the Academy in Colorado at the time of Amnd 2. The instructors were bigoted christians who help prayer meetings and lead prayer at the beginning of class. I was 22. closeted and in fear. The atmosphere was toxic. Finally I couldnt handle it any longer & I pulled aside my classmate who I had really bonded w/ I made him put his hands in his pockets (so I would have time to react if he chose to fight me) and I stood ready to either fight, or flee if it came down to it.
I burst, like a damn. Long sobs of pent up fear. I told him everything. I didnt know what to expect. He looked at me, asked "why did you make me put my hands in my pocket?" He laughed when I told him. Grabbed me, hugged me. said "we are brothers, that's all that matters:"
Then we agreed, for a bit, it was a good idea to keep it a secret. Which, i thought was at least wise till after graduation. But he stood by me and with me throughout. I have been very lucky. Never experiencing a bad reaction. Even now, at nearly 41 I am no longer in that field of work, it remains a wonderful memory and I received much love and respect when I finally did come out to the dept.

[RBLRDR]

11:19 PM on 10/18/2010

I would like to thank the people who submitted their stories. I enjoyed reading all of them. I got a little misty eyed a few times and I smiled a couple of others. Thanks again and much happiness to all of you.

[LaurieAnn]

12:06 PM on 10/18/2010

I read every single story above and plan on reading the rest of them. Telling our stories is powerful and healing. I appreciate so much being able to bear witness to other's experiences.

What really rang true for be was story number 17 above, about 'coming our every day." Meeting new people, going into new circumstances, I can see how that would require an attitude of coming out every day. This would seem to require limitless courage.

My respect and loves goes out to each and everyone who has come out and the loved ones who support them.

[Bluerainbow]

11:02 AM on 10/18/2010

"..I came out when I was around 20 years old, and my mom's awesome response was: "I know, and I don't care that you're gay. I just wish you wouldn't smoke." (Finkles2000)"

That is hilarious!

[megwolff]

05:58 PM on 10/18/2010

This was a really nice response.

[Bobbi2664]

06:54 AM on 10/18/2010

Tobynsaunders had the same thing happen to me about finding out who your true friends are.The ones i thought would be there wer'nt and the ones i didnt expect 2b are always supportive of me. Then my second comming out so to speak was when i realised that i'm transgender. And all my true friends are still there 4me. And some i thought that would pull away actuly are closer if that possible.one even says kinda tounge n cheek that i make a better looking girl than a guy lol.Maybe 1 day people wil realise that to be human is to be a friend.And when that happens there just may be hope for us as a species and a planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[juzcuz]

12:05 PM on 10/17/2010

I spent quite a while writing my long story short of coming out and it never showed here. That's pretty discouraging to write our hearts out and then have it flushed down the toilet at the click of a button. It was insightful and 'clean' and should not have been erased by monitors.

[tobynsaunders]

11:05 AM on 10/17/2010

My coming out story... I was mocked by an old 'friend'... no longer a friend. He's racist & Right Wing too.

[TheMacIsCrazy]

11:11 AM on 10/17/2010

Sorry to hear that. At least you're now getting to know your true friends. My principle is to avoid 'friends' who attach labels to people. Unfortunately there are so many of them and sadly for me you can't change family. I wish you other people will be more accepting of you. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Gigi 01]

05:50 AM on 10/17/2010

I am straight and can't imagine how hard it would be to come out. What kind of parents would kick their child out because they are gay ?

I could never do that if I had a child . They would never have to come out to me as it wouldn't matter. If my child loved someone of the same sex I would just hope that they were happily in love.

[TheMacIsCrazy]

11:00 AM on 10/17/2010

Wow! your comments are exactly representative of what I wanted to say. Very well put

[JustJoy7]

12:51 PM on 10/17/2010

Parents who kick their child out because they are gay are parents that think being gay is a choice. They kick the kid out and are in denial because they can't grasp that THEY made the child. The child did not put in an order to be gay. Being gay really is the way one is born; however, there are those who choose the gay life because they want to. For those, it really is THEIR choice.

My feeling is that there are FAR MORE people who are gay and hide it because of society. That is validated by the number of people who are either exposed or just ease out.

As my avatar portrays, being gay is WORLDWIDE. Make no mistake, that is true. I am a mother and grandmother and loved as if I were a piece of crystal by my partner of many years who is 24 years my junior. I came out late and instantly squared my shoulders and looked family and friends in the eye and told them. I am too adult to have done it any other way. Not a single person rejected my. I guess I am blessed.

[SteveDenver]

07:19 PM on 10/16/2010

I have come out to my mom four times, and she still asks if I think I'll ever meet a nice girl.
One day I hope to tell her, "Mom, this is your future daughter-in-law Raymond. I know you're going to love each other."

My last boyfriend's brother asked me, "So who plays the husband and who plays the wife." I responded, "Are you asking who does the dishes?/ I'm still trying to sort out what your girlfriend told us about you on all fours and her with a strap-on."

[Lunamoth]

09:55 PM on 10/16/2010

Too funny!

[Contact1972]

10:29 PM on 10/16/2010

Hey just give your mom some time...I'm sure she'll come around.

[OnTheCusp]

04:16 PM on 10/17/2010

Never happen.

[mamacat]

06:17 PM on 10/16/2010

I enjoyed these articles and photos very much. Thank you.

My partner and I are of different races, and we get stares wherever we go. Hopefully, the day will come when people no longer have to talk about "coming out", but only talk about staying in or going out. What I mean is that, in a perfect world, a persons sexual orientation would not matter.

[SteveDenver]

07:20 PM on 10/16/2010

Actually, if you and your partner are both humans, you are the same race. Different ethnicities or nationalities, but the same race: human.

[mamacat]

04:47 PM on 10/17/2010

Well, we are certainly all of the same species.

I had a neighbor ask me if I thought of my partner as "(insert race label here)". I explained to him and his wife that I thought of my partner first and foremost as my partner, but that I was also aware of the difference in racial backgrounds. His wife was very happy with that explanation, which made me feel good about myself. A little bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way toward lessening our burdens.
Theoretically we shouldn't care too much about what others think about our personal lives, but realistically that is difficult to do.

[TheMacIsCrazy]

10:50 AM on 10/17/2010

I long for the day we'll all be done with labels. I'm glad you have love in your life and join you you in hoping for the day people will not have to 'come out'. I do my darnest best to ensure I don't label people and it annoys me that some people do that as if it's second nature. I like SteveDenver's 'human race'.