"I am having troubles with the coming out process. Almost a year ago, I told my mom that I was gay. After getting nowhere with this at school or with friends, I gave up. I was thinking that I can wait until I'm ready. And I think I am. I'm ready for the trauma I'll experience, being an outcast and excluded. But I'm really close to one girl and she likes me a lot, I've been told. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I really WANT to come out, and I think it'd be more then easy for me to tell people. But there's some people I don't want to hurt. I'm almost afraid of coming out. What should I do?"
Another teen responded: "Just try to ease into it. You don't have to come out all at once, you can just tell who you want to for now. Like close friends etc etc."
Here's my take: That sounds like pretty solid advice. There is no rule that says you have to come out to everyone at the same time. Hopefully, you will find someone who accepts your sexual orientation and doesn't make you feel like an outcast.
You might choose to come out to the girl who you've heard likes you. But that doesn't have to be your first move. It might be easier to come out to someone you think is more neutral. Coming out to a crush can add extra pressure to an already complicated and potentially stressful situation.
It's great that you were able to come out to your mom. Maybe you would want to consider asking her advice about how to come out to friends and peers at school.
You might also want to read up on how to start a conversation about being gay before coming out.
Good luck!
