My Story of Coming Out 

By Alice Berger 

I am a 13-year-old Lesbian trying to make it through middle school, my pronouns are she/her. This month we celebrate National Coming Out Day on the 11th, and this is my story on how I came out. 

Until I was around 10, I didn’t really know about the LGBTQIA+ community. But whenever I pictured myself with a man in the future, it felt wrong. I never thought of myself with a woman in the future because I didn’t know girls could like girls. I was homeschooled for most of my life until I was 10. I started going to school when the pandemic was near its end, and I was on the internet a lot. I had started learning about the LGBTQIA+ community online. I also started realizing my attraction to women, and one girl in my class made me feel sure of it. Her name was Sandra, and she was a nice person, although I only spoke a few words to her. Sandra was beautiful, and I thought about her a lot. I wasn’t scared of coming out to my parents, because I knew they were supportive, but I was scared that people would judge me for who I am. And yes, some people have and do, but that’s their problem. I should be allowed to feel comfortable in my skin, and everyone else should too. Don’t hide who you are because that might cause more pain than showing it.

Yes, it can be scary coming out to your friends. But most of the time, they’ll support you, and if they don’t, they’re either not a good friend or might need to be educated. If you’re coming out to your family, it might be scary, thoughts like “What if they don’t accept me?” or “What if they treat me differently?” that might go through your head. If you have good parent(s)/guardian(s), they’ll support you unconditionally. I can’t give advice to people who don’t have supporting families because I haven’t experienced it. But what I do know is that your parents should always support you. If you have parents who don’t support you, then things do get better, they have for me, and will for you. Don’t try to change yourself for others because it’s not worth it being someone you’re not. Be yourself because that’s what everyone is best at. Trust me, it will lead you to a better, healthier, and happier life.

    Last but not least, don’t let other people talk you down, because that’s letting them win. If someone hurts you, get back up and use it as fuel, let them know you’re not as weak as they want you to be. It doesn’t make you as bad as someone to defend yourself. Because if you never defend yourself, you won’t get anywhere.