Because sexual minorities are an at-risk population, researchers conducted retrospective life story interviews with 191 sexual minority people comprising participants from a marriage equality cohort, an HIV/AIDS epidemic cohort, and a Stonewall rebellion cohort. The participants were located within 80 miles of four major metropolitan areas in the United States. Of the 191 participants interviewed, 90 participants talked about their school-age experiences and how they coped during elementary, middle, and high school. Five themes were identified in the interview data that were coded by the research team: (1) the influence of relationships; (2) experiencing emotions; (3) coming out; (4) coping behaviorally; and (5) coping cognitively. Implications for school counseling practice and future research are provided for educators, researchers, and helping professionals.