When I came out at the age of 26, my parents could not have been more supportive. … My one piece of advice to those who are scared to come out: People that have made fun of those that are gay may turn out to be the biggest supporters. Something changes when it hits close to home. I grew up in a house where my dad regularly made fun of what he would call “fags” (hate that word!) and since my coming out, has been a totally different person. He wants a HRC ring and tells all his friends how proud he is of his lesbian daughter.

When I came out to my mother, we had been in her car discussing other topics. She was speechless at first, then she told me that AIDS is everywhere and that she would never accept a boyfriend. We have not spoken about it much since then.

When I came out to my best friend (and secret crush) she just said, “Oh, okay. I know two girls at my school who are bi too.” and went back to playing Left 4 Dead. And when I came out to my brother, he thought I was a lesbian and thought it was really cool to have a lesbian little sis. I love my brother!

When I came out, I was exceptionally lucky – I think I only lost one mate, who just drifted away. Even my grandparents don’t care. The best reaction was from a cousin who apologised for assuming I was straight.

When I came out, my mom called me a dumb b*tch and kicked me out of the house. I finally am now back. I’m only 14, I’m a lesbian, and proud. Nobody will change that (:

When I came out on a Wednesday, I packed my stuff on a Thursday and moved out on a Friday. Living with my boyfriend is so much better than living with my parents. A few weeks later when I came out on Facebook my grandmother told me God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. She was serious. I told her then that I don’t believe in God.

When I came out to both parents at age 38 it was because I walked into the kitchen just as my Dad said, “We’ve got one at work – and he’s OK.” I asked, “One what?” “A queer.” “Well, you’ve got a queer son – and I hope that’s OK too!” Mum gave me a kiss and a big hug and told me that they loved me. In her last year of life as I cared for her through infirmity and dementia, I had the pleasure of having to come out several times – and always with the same loving response.

When I came out, my mother thought I had AIDS. I don’t have the heart to tell her I’m now HIV+.

When I came out, as lesbian, to my classically conservative parents (Catholic, Traditional, Latino), my dad texted me the next morning, “A parent will never stop loving his child for what it is or does, I just worry about the adversities you’ll have to face.” To this day, they are the only adversity I’ve had to face. They are still convinced it is a sickness and confusion.

When I came out in my 40s, I was surprised by how few people were really surprised. I thought I had done such a good job acting like I was straight. I am now 60 and my mother still thinks that I am just going through a phase.