|  | Coming Out. For some, its one of the hardest times of their lives. Before you ever come out, it seems like one of the worst things in life. People often are filled with emotions of fear and anxiety. They may be sure of themselves, but are may be worried how to tell someone, who to tell, what to tell them and how, and how they might react. There is no story the same. Everyone has their own experience of coming out. Even once you have made that step and told someone you are gay, it might not end there, you may feel you want to go on and tell more people. From peoples experiences though, each time you tell someone it gets easier. The golden rule is to wait until you are ready to come out, don't ever be pushed into it. Only you can know when you feel comfortable with other people knowing. Be sure you are happy about yourself first. Have a read of other peoples coming out stories, how they did it, and what reactions they got. "Some advice to the people that think they're alone, you're not, we all felt like that but things will work out. You need to be strong and fight through it, if not for yourself then for the next generation that are to 'come out' of the closet. Remember the more we stand up for ourselves the more we are remembered and respected and we will to fit in to society. Things will get better. I remember when I came out I thought that no one would ever talk to me and I would just lose it. I became so much happier and more confident. People began to respect me more and you find out who your real friends are at this important time in your life. They are the ones that you need, be strong, keep your head up and be there for each other." N Walker, Manchester 19 - "I only tell other people that I'm gay if I've known them for a long time and if they are accepting and tolerant. I think it's important that they know about this special part of me" James, age 18.
- "Since I'm normal, I don't have to hide how I feel. But you should make sure that you are comfortable with your sexuality before you blurt it out to just anyone" Lee, age 19.
- "I'm Tamsin, I'm female, 15 and until about six months ago would have considered myself normal. I'd made a new friend and was at a night club with him with one of my female friends, when we decided it would be a great laugh to pretend we were in a lesbian relationship. Looking back now, it wasn't that long ago, but in terms of how I've changed my attitudes to gays, it seems like a million years!
It was really this that brought to my attention the fact that I was actually attracted to girls. It went from there and I'm still not entirely sure whether I'm lesbian or bisexual. I suppose it doesn't really matter. All my friends know now, but my family hasn't a clue. I don't get on with my Mum and my Dad is homophobic, so I suppose that will be how it stays until my sister comes home from Uni."
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