Coming Out

Resources and advice on coming out gay, lesbian, queer, bisexual, trans, non-binary and/or nothing at all! Essays and how-tos on coming out to yourself, figuring out your identity and more.

dating

‘Am I Queer or Just Repulsed by Straight Norms?’

There is no such thing as being queer “enough.” There is just being queer.

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Oct 7, 2025

a girl writing in her notebook laying in bed

dating

‘Am I Queer or Just Repulsed by Straight Norms?’

There is no such thing as being queer “enough.” There is just being queer.

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

—

Oct 7, 2025

coming out

‘I Really Want To Be Bi but I’m Unsure HELP’

Life got much easier when I learned I could keep a bunch of labels/self-identities in my pocket and swap them out as necessary.

Summer Tao

—

Sep 2, 2025

Billie Eilish sits across a table from Janelle Monáe. Billie rests her head in the shape of an L.

celebrities (vapid fluff)

Billie Eilish Is “Gay & Tired,” Also “Physically Attracted to Women”

Billie Eilish used Instagram’s “gay & tired” filter, and it has some fans going 👀

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

—

Nov 13, 2023

girl in a yellow hat holding sign that says "be yourself"

coming out

15 Creative Ways To Come Out to Your Family, Friends and/or the Entire World

You could come out to your Mom in the car while driving to the outlet mall, but alternately, you could come out to your Mom via interpretive dance.

Riese

—

Oct 11, 2023

a close-up of two young people wearing distressed denim, one white, one Black, holding hands

coming out

You Need Help: Can I Date While Living With My Homophobic Parents?

Dating can be amazing and wonderful. But if you currently rely on homophobic parents for material support, it may be time to focus on planning the next stage of your…

Darcy

—

Apr 25, 2023

Mo'Nique on stage at her new Netflix comedy special.

coming out

Mo’Nique Grapples With Her Queer Desires, Fear, and Coming Out In New Netflix Special

“So for you babies in the LGBTQ community, I want y’all to hear me. I respect every-motherfuckin’-body in here free enough to be their goddamn selves.”

Carmen Phillips

—

Apr 5, 2023

woman with pink short hair stands against a clear blue sky, holding a rainbow flag billowing in the wind, looking content and sure of herself

coming out

You Need Help: How Can I Be My Authentic Self While Navigating Bi-Erasure and Biphobia?

You can’t control other people’s reactions to your coming out. But you can create for yourself a network of people who unequivocally support your bisexuality/queerness and who understand the specific…

Casey

—

Feb 28, 2023

a young Black woman with short curly hair looks pensive as she writes in her journal

coming out

You Need Help: What If I’m Lying to Myself About Being Queer?

I absolutely remember this feeling. “Am I crazy? Am I just making this up to complicate my life?” The answer is, no, you’re not. You’re not making it up. It’s…

Casey

—

Oct 18, 2022

Become a Member

Support queer journalism

What You Get:

EXCLUSIVE AF+ CONTENT

AD-FREE READING EXPERIENCE

PRINT MAGAZINE DELIVERED FREE

LEARN MORE

Become a Member

Support queer journalism

EXCLUSIVE AF+ CONTENT

AD-FREE READING EXPERIENCE

PRINT MAGAZINE DELIVERED FREE

LEARN MORE

Don’t want to see ads? Join AF+

Account Account

Coming Out

Become a Member

What You Get:

Become a Member

Account