Coming out at 28 - better late than never?

[RainbowWarrior23]

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to share my story. I came out as gay last month at 28, and I'm still processing everything.

For years I told myself I was just "picky" or hadn't found the right woman yet. The denial was real. But after meeting someone who made me realize what I was actually feeling, I couldn't ignore it anymore.

My family has been surprisingly supportive, though my mom did ask if I was "sure" about 20 times lol. Friends have been amazing too.

Anyone else come out later in life? How did you deal with feeling like you "wasted" time? I know that's not the right way to think about it, but the feeling is still there.

Thanks for reading ❤️

[PrideMountain]

Congratulations on coming out! ?️‍? That takes real courage.

I came out at 32, so I totally get those feelings. One thing that helped me was realizing that those years weren't wasted - they were part of your journey to understanding yourself. Some people know from childhood, others figure it out later. Both are completely valid.

The important thing is you're living authentically now. That's what matters.

Welcome to the community! ✨

[SunnyDispo]

There's no timeline for self-discovery! I have friends who came out in their 40s and 50s. Your story is your own and it's beautiful.

Sounds like you have a great support system too. That makes such a difference.

Hope you're feeling proud of yourself because you should be! ?

[QueerBookworm]

@RainbowWarrior23 Your story resonates so much with me. I went through that same "picky" phase for years before accepting who I am.

One book that really helped me process those feelings was "The Velvet Rage" by Alan Downs. It talks a lot about the stages of coming out and self-acceptance. Might be worth a read if you're looking for some validation and perspective.

You're exactly where you need to be right now. Be gentle with yourself! ?❤️