Why is it easier to "come out" to someone I just met than to my friends of years?

That's actually quite simple. People you've known for years have had a big impact on your life, and still have. If someone you just met will hate you for being gay, you'll easily get over it. If your friends/family that you've known for years decide to end things over your sexuality, you'd be sad for a far longer period if time. So, simply said, the opinion of those you've known longer is far more important to you.

Sometimes it's easier to open up with people we barely know... Maybe you fear that the way your friends see you will change, maybe you're afraid of judgement and you don't want to affect your relationship. It's normal to have these fears, but a true friend, one that really cares for you and loves you for who you are, will understand that the person you are doesn't change. They love you because of something deeper than appearance. If your friendship is true, no prejudice will end it, and you will have your closest friends by your side to support you!

It may seem easier to come out to someone you have just met rather than friends you have known for years because you may have had memories or something really happen with your friends, or you don't want to lose the friends you already have. It is easier to tell someone you just met because you haven't made a true impression on them yet and you don't have much to lose.

I have one theory. When it is someone you've just met, they don't know much about you and their perception of who you are as a person is still not fully formed. You know that what you say to them will not shake their idea of 'you' and in turn you won't be judged so heavily. And when it comes to people you've known for a longer time, they already know you and are well acquainted with you. It's a bit scary to come out to them because you feel that they will start thinking differently of you. Take care. :)

Because we can be afraid to lose our friends and when we meet someone we have the opportunity to be who we are no matter what they can say or think.

They don't have the years of history behind u & a friend. Anonymity. Decrease in possible judgement.

Because you had all those years to with the friends and they became something very special.... It's harder to say news that aren't that usual to someone very close..

In my personal experience it can be two things. The first thing is what a lot of people have said already, there's a lot of more pressure when you come out to friends you've been together for a longer time because you value their presence on your life and you are worried of what they might think of you because of that. When you say it in front of a stranger it really does not affect you as much because their presence in your life doesn't have such a meaningful connection. In the other hand, you might find having a much more deeper connection with a person you've known for less time than your long life friends and they can give you the support and understanding you crave, so it feels right to come out to them, because you know they won't judge you (that as in making a comparison on how it was to come out to one of my long time friends to my university friends which have been both incredibly supportive).

When you come out to someone you just met you are not worried that you will judge you. Coming out to someone you have known for many years is harder because you are emotionally attached to them.

You have a history with people you have met for years. And coming out to them may feel like you are "rewriting that history" or that your past "means something else." With someone new, you are able to be authentic before they have too large of an idea of who you are.