When you came out, did you jump head-first into dating and looking for a partner? Were you already in a relationship? Had you been dating years before? Just curious, I've only been 'out' for a little while, wondering what will happen in the future. ^_^
Mine is a bit complicated, we got talking before I came out, it's not like a full on relationship, but it's something. My main reason for coming as as soon as I did was so that I could meet him as it would be somewhat awkward to otherwise explain to my family why I was flying away for a week!
I dated guys before coming out... but when I met a girl I thought I could have something with, I started coming out to friends. And to the girl in question, of course -- so coming out "to be with someone" fits best, I think. I came out to my mother once I knew there really was something. I guess I started coming out before I started dating the same gender, but mostly came out after.
I came out to my mom two times... The first time was two years ago, but she didn't believe me, and the other one was because she found out that I was dating someone..
I came out to be free to enjoy GSA activities. It was more like group dating on the weekends at the local club. I did go out with one guy regularly as a pair. He was the president of the GSA. We grew apart after a few years. After that it was just one nighters for me.
I was seeing someone before I came out and he was a major reason as to why I came out. I found it very difficult to have a relationship and keep lieing to people, especially my parents. Luckily im not with him anymore (got out of jail there).
Personally, since I can't really date a plush doll without people being weirded out by me existing at all, I'll consider "date" to mean "having a relationship" in this case. Well, considering how I learned I was an OS through starting my relationship with my doll, I'll say I started to "date" her at the same time I found out. And I can thank the Wikipedia article on Object Sexuality for helping me come to terms with myself.
I was dragged out of the closet when I was 12, but since I didn't confirm the rumours, most people didn't really know for sure until I started dating a really beautiful girl two years later. So I guess you can say I came out for sure when I was in a relationship, even though I was outted way before that.
I came out to a few friends last year, in a way where I said "I am sorta confused by my sexuality and girls but I am pretty sure I am bi" and then started dating a guy not long after. one of my friends decided to pretty much yell it out to everyone as soon as he knew "I though you were experimenting with your sexuality and were confused!". It was so embarrassing, because I knew I liked guys, and that he pretty much yelled it out to this guy like I was just using him to experiment with my sexuality.
