Coming Out Story - 7th Grade
Like everyone, I began to realize my sexuality around the time I hit puberty. For me, this was the fourth grade. I remember distinctly my sexual attraction was felt for other male classmates, not female. And despite everything our society tells us, I was OK with this. I knew what it was to be gay, and I knew that I was. I remained closeted, though, until junior high.
The summer before seventh grade, I told some of my best friends that I was gay, and they were all very supportive and open to it. Most of them said that they already knew, anyway, or at least had an idea.
We all know how teenagers can be, so it was a little harder for me to be accepted by everyone at school once I started admitting to those who asked that yes, I am gay. I got shit from the guys, like I think most gay or presumed gay males do in school. I think the only reason it never hurt me was because I was strong in myself. Before opening myself up to the criticism and ridicule of others, I knew that I had to be strong and willing to carry myself highly. I thank my parents for instilling in me this aspect of my character. It allows me still to be an out gay male and not care what other people think enough to let them determine my behavior.
Coming out to my friends was easy, and it was relatively the same with my family. They are now very active in programs like PFLAG and the HRC. It's been easy for me to be gay, but I know this isn't the case for the majority of young men in my position.
My advice would be to first find the inner-strength needed to love yourself for who and what you are before you decide to tell others. With parents, it can be especially hard, but I think that if they are bombarded with the positive images that PFLAG and other organizations can give them, and if we continue to make progress in society as a whole, coming out will move from being a scary, traumatic, turbulent event to one that is easier and more accepted by families and friends.
