A while ago (okay six years, that's what 12 in gay years?!?!) when I was 15, my best friend (who I've known since childhood) and I started 'maturing' sexually and emotionally. We had been real pals up until the point that I kept putting him off ('cause of my emotions and such) because I was feeling things that I just couldn't tell him. Homosexuality runs throughout my family, so being gay wasn't a problem. But along with the explanation of what it means in our society today, came fears and hauntings that brought me to tears each time I thought of him and our past.
One evening he begged me to go out on the town with him, from which I became more and more unstable and fearful of any questions that he may ask. Still, I did it. Later that night we proceeded to his house to work on some school work when he popped the question. Now at first I thought it would have been "are you gay?" to which I would have given him an answer for without hesitation. BUT instead he asked "Daryn, do you like me?" Uh-Oh! So I tried to think of things to say for a moment, but nothing came. I just and to tell him. "No, 'Mr. X' I'm in love with you.
He smiled and said "I knew it!!!" and for a moment I thought everything was okay... until he told his mother. I was then called by, told by and asked by his mother not come over, speak to his son, or call their house again. Even when things are fine between friends, or when it's okay to love some one, when you're young you don't really have the foresight to ensure privacy from your parents ESPECIALLY if they are unaccepting of their children's lifestyles. But we still talked at school.
He isn't gay and I am still in love with him, but being gay has taught me to keep my eyes and ears and heart on those who are also gay. Mr. X. and I have had our fun, but for now I treasure our friendship more than anything that could come from a relationship with him. My advice to anyone and everyone is first, know who it is you're telling. Maybe try to understand how they feel about gay people before you tell them anything revealing about yourself. Influence them by talking about a family member or school friend (existent or non) and redirect their thoughts. Two, if he/she is accepting and you're out of the closet... chances are they already know... but still... be careful in how you phrase your feelings... be 'lite' in content. Maybe open the conversation with some memorable times you share.
Don't expect he/she to feel the same. He/she may very well do so or feel as such, but they may not be ready to tell you. Lastly, make it clear that you only wanted he/she to know how you feel and that you were only being honest to yourself and your friend.
It's truly a very tough situation that straight people will never really understand (lest they fall in love with a gay person of the opposite sex which is like 1 in 10.) So proceed with caution-

-Daryn