You may have already come to terms with your sexuality or you may have recently started to question your sexuality. Either way your feelings could be very strong and thinking about them on your own can often be frustrating. You may get to a point where you feel the need to talk about it in order to gain support or just to get it off your chest.

Coming Out can be difficult – just saying the words out loud could be one of the hardest things you can imagine. If the experience is positive you will feel that a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. If you have a hard time coming out, it’s not the end of the world. There are helplines, youth groups and agencies all over the country that can provide you with excellent support and hopefully give you a more positive outlook on your situation.

Just remember that you don’t need to go through this on your own but at the same time only you will know when the time is right. Don’t ever let anyone force you into coming out - It is a very personal experience and different for everyone. Have a look at the information on this site; educate yourself so that you are clear about what you want to happen.

Take your time. You need to feel comfortable about your sexuality before anyone else can.

Do not be pressured into coming out. You and only you will know when the time is right.

You can never tell how people will react so build up trusting friendships. Tell a friend you know will be supportive. Once you have done this, your confidence will grow and that will help you next time.

Telling parents is very different to coming out to friends. Your parents will have built up their hopes for you and this could come as a big shock. They may need time to deal with it, which is fine. After all, you took time to come to terms with it so why shouldn’t they? They may turn round and say that they have known for ages and are just glad you felt you could tell them.

Friends and family may have lots of questions to ask you, some of these may sound silly but they just want more information. Be happy that you can now talk about your sexuality openly.

It might be the case that not everyone you tell will react positively.  There are still people in the world who believe being gay is wrong. If you do get bad reactions just maintain your strong friendships and the support you get from them should help you through.

For more information on coming out Visit the THT site here (www.ygm.org.uk/home/comingout)

For Simon Amstell and other Gay celebrities coming out stories go here (www.ygm.org.uk/home/comingout/celebscomingout)