We asked ROMEO users to share their first moments of realizing they were gay (or bi, trans, queerâŠ). The stories are as diverse as our community! From those who knew it at an early age to those who discovered it later in life, sometimes after having a wife and children. Some are open about it, while others are still living in the closet. đ
A big step toward self-acceptance is hearing real-life stories and realizing weâre not alone in our journeys. It can be hard (and sometimes rough), but trust us – it gets better. We hope these stories inspire you, or even encourage you to share your own with others around you.
This first series features stories from users who knew they were âdifferentâ as early as age 6. Keep reading…
Story of a 56-year-old ROMEO from Cuba
I suspected I was gay as a teenager, even though I had girlfriends, Iâd often catch myself looking at men but dismissed it as a curiosity. At 19, I went to a friendâs birthday with my girlfriend. She drank too much, so we stayed overnight. She was put in one room, and I shared a bed with a young man. I woke up to him hugging me, his head on my chest. At one point, he opened his eyes and kissed me. I kissed him back. At first, I resisted accepting it, but that moment helped me embrace my true self. That day, I set my soul free.
Story from an anonymous user
Since childhood, I felt attracted to people of all genders, having crushes on both boys and girls without thinking much about labels. That changed in secondary school and Islamic religious school when I first heard “gay” used as an insult. I realized my romantic feelings for my own gender were seen as something shameful. From that moment, I knew I was different and decided to hide my sexuality from the world.
Story of a 60-year-old user from France
When I was 16, I met a boy during the holidays. When he returned home, I realized I was in love with him, but it was too late. At 18, I had my first kiss with a man during a trip to Germany. Itâs my favorite memory, shared with a wonderful guy from the charming town of Schwalenberg. Iâll never forget him.
Story from an anonymous user from France
When I was six, I attended my cousinâs wedding. After the meal, we played a funny wedding game. Everyone formed a circle, and one person was randomly chosen to hold a small handkerchief. That person would then pick someone from the circle to give two kisses, passing the handkerchief to the next chosen participant.
When it was my turn, instead of picking a girl, as everyone might have expected, I boldly chose the groom, whom I must have found charming. People smiled at my choice, finding it both cute and daring for the time.
That evening, I realized I was gay. As a teenager, my favorite place to “play games” and kiss boys was the dance floor at a popular gay club in Toulouse.
Story from a 40-year-old user from France
I didnât initially think I was gay, but I was curious about exploring the idea. A queer column in the local newspaper caught my attention. It was both entertaining and thought-provoking, sparking my curiosity about the LGBTQ+ community.
At university, I lived in a big group house, and one of my roommates was gay. He worked at the neighborhood gay bar, and one evening, I gathered the courage to visit him there. While chatting, I opened up about my recent breakup with a girlfriend.
He introduced me to someone, and we immediately clicked. That night, we talked and shared a moment of connection, and I began to understand myself in a new way. It was an important moment in my journey of self-discovery.
Story from a 63-year-old user from Germany
Looking back, I realize I was gay even as a child, though I didnât understand it at the time. At around 8 or 9, I was fascinated by men who wore tight jeans and boots, and those who showed masculinity.
At 15, I dated girls but never felt truly fulfilled. Growing up in a small town, I believed there were no other gay men around. I found some understanding of my feelings through the German movie Die Konsequenz, which helped me understand my feelings.
My first experience exploring my identity happened during my time in the military. Later, at nearly 20, I moved to Munich for university and joined a coming-out group. It was a transformative experience that helped me embrace who I truly am.
ROMEO is here for you
No matter where you are in your journey, remember that discovering and embracing who you truly are is a beautiful process. ROMEO is here to connect you with people around the world who share your experiences and can offer support, friendship, and love. Keep shining brightly – because the world is better with you in it. đ