Name or Nick Name : Megan
Country or City you are from: : Tucson/Oregon
Your Age : 23
Your Gender : female
What did you come out as? : Lesbian
What other words would you use to describe yourself? : depends on the situation, but I like to think I'm amazing
How old were you when you first realised your identity? : 17
How old were you when you first told someone? : 21
Did you plan it? If so, how? : Not really, but I was at my friends wedding, and I am a vegetarian, so they had put a vegetarian option on the menu. Her older sister kept teasing me and saying I'm meatless as in also lesbian. I also had brought a girl as a date to the wedding, although it was strictly platonic. Anyways the groom's sister is also a lesbian, so she kind of hit on me, and I told her it was ok, I like girls. Then a year later I came out to a few other friends.
What made you choose that person to tell? : Alcohol, and the teasing probably. It was nice to be honest, and not lie to everyone.
Can you remember exactly what you said? : I think it was something along the lines of its ok, I like girls too.
How did you feel? : Good, and really good when I came out to my friends. I want to come out to everyone, but haven't quite got there yet.
What was the person’s reaction? : Good, we definatly flirted the entire night, and went back to the hotel together.
My friends later were like I kind of figured.
What did they say? : I don't exactly remember.
What was your relationship with the person like afterwards? : With JD's sister, we would see eachother out every now and again, but my friends have been great! They are totally supportive. They just want me to be happy
What’s it like now? : Great.
If you’ve been outed unwillingly, who did it? : Yeah my best friend has told some other people like her mom and her boyfriend and stuff, but I'm okay it. She needs someone to talk about thinks with. Also her boyfriend is trying to set me up, and since I hadn't come out to him I didn't quite tell him I wanted a girl. Becky did and he was cool with it, so its all cool now.
If you’ve experienced homophobia etc, please give an example. : All the time, but I'm not very out at all, so it isn't directed at me. I teach high school, so I hear that is so gay, or kids being called lesbian, and I try to change the language. It hurts me too, but the kids don't know, and I'm not quite ready to tell them.
Since coming out how out are you at school? : not_applicable
Since coming out, how “out” are you at work? : not_out
Since coming out, how “out” are you with family? : are_you_crazy
Since coming out, how “out” are you with your friends? : only_friends
What does being out mean to you? : I think it was being honest with myself, and being honest with others. I really want to stop the lies that come along with being in the closet. I want to be able to be excited and tell everyone about great dates I have, or new girls I meet.
What differences, if any, did your cultural background make to your experience of coming out? : I'm Catholic, and a lot of people are not so accepting. My mom, talking about my cousin who her mom suspects her of being gay, said love the sinner hate the sin.
What does the concept of the closet mean to you? : Lies, but lies to protect not only myself, but other people. When they are ready and I'm ready, they'll know.
What advice would you give someone wanting to come out? : Sometimes telling complete strangers may help you be ok with saying out loud you are gay. But think about the pros and cons. There is never a right time, but be honest.
If you could do it all again, would you do it any differently? If so, how? : I would have come out while still in college. Having graduated, I find it a little harder to meet people.
Anything you want to add? : I'm coming out to my twin brother tomorrow. Wish me luck!