did you have low self-esteem before you realized you're gay?

Yeah! My self-esteem and quality of life has improved tremendously since I realized I was hay and came out. I feel more confident and not like I have something to hide.

 

I've always had low-selfesteem but after being out fully I felt a lot better about myself. Especially after being able to dress like a boy.

 

If this is to the entirety of LGBT and not just gay people:

Within myself - higher self esteem
Within knowing the possible negative opinions of others towards me [especially those held by other LGBT members] - lower self esteem

 

Oh my I had the lowest self esteem ever! After coming out my outgoing personality is slowly coming back (op edit this is for trans XD kinda still applies)

 

Well, for trans, I did experience a lot.. and still do to this day. Though I wouldn't say it's as bad but it's still there.

 

The 15 minutes has gone off so I'll quote but note I answered this as after realising I was LGBT. Before realising I was bisexual I didn't really care about finding the label. I didn't realise the dysphoria I was having with GI was dysphoria so I tried to ignore it.

 

I still have low self esteem :')

 

I don't think so, considering I came out at 14 which is also when my depression started. But I doubt the depression is related to coming out.

 

I still struggle with self esteem issues, but then again I'm still figuring out my identity. But I think my journey of acceptance so far has certainly made a huge difference in how I know myself. I think I've always struggled with feelings of being out f place and in some way inexplicably different from everyone around me. I still feel like that sometimes, but I know myself a lot more now. I understand more the things that make me me, and exploring my sexuality has been a big part of that.

 

I would say so, to an extent. I've never been the most confident person. I like to hide in the background and not draw attention to myself. I first realized and accepted that I was gay at 19. After that I still continued to sit in the background, afraid to answer questions in class in case I was wrong. I also still hold back my opinions on certain topics in conversations, but that's partially how I was raised, too - to be quiet and not create a scene. I've gotten better with it over time, though. I came out for the first time last Thursday, and I already feel a little bit better about myself and a little bit more confident. I hope once I start coming out to more people that my confidence will grow, but it's still a work in progress for me.

 

Knowing I was bi ripped my self-esteem to shreds for a long time, and it's still in the crapper because of that. I still feel guilt when I have those feelings, which is something I know I need to work on.

 

Yes, my self esteem was low for many years. I felt like I could never do anything right...even when I was successful in school. I grew up in a ultra-conservative household, so I thought I was this horrible person. When I accepted I was gay, it was like the dark clouds in my mind finally lifted. I still have bouts of self doubt...but I am in a much better place now.

 

Yes. Two cookies for you two.

I had low self-esteem beforehand (but never really thought about it very much), and still do. I don't think being gay is a curse or a blessing; although, it makes settling down with someone a whole lot harder and severely constricts my dating pool.

 

For sure. I had incredibly low self-esteem beforehand, and I still do today although not a lot of that has to do with my sexuality.

 

Interesting - - - mine has gone down, actually.

I was a pretty naive child. I didn't care a lot about what others thought, actually. Like, looking back I loved that I wore what felt good - things like that.

As time has gone on, I have tried to dress better/get in shape, all of that. I have done so, and it's gotten me nowhere.

Being out has really done no favors, either. Guys don't hit on me and any guy who would have ever wanted a gay friend passed me over, too.

Moral of the story - it sucks. haha.

 

it helps knowing what i am so i can make sense of stuff - still nervous and shy a lot since i have these feelings that noone else around me knows about and my family are very against, so yes and no

 

Yes. After I came out it was like a flip was switched. I wasn't insecure about myself anymore.

 

I spent two and a half years being chock-full of hatred and self-loathing before working out that I've got gender dysphoria. Tbh not much has changed, but even if I turn out not to really be trans (ie, if this is just a phase) I'll get a bit closer to working out how to cope with my internal bullshit.