make sure you are comfortable with who you are and how you feel first - while coming out is a huge step, if there's negative reaction and you don't accept yourself, it can be even more hurtful and harmful to you.that being said, what i've found (both with myself and with other queer friends) is that for a lot of people, there never is truly a time where you feel 100% "ready." whether that be because you're scared of yourself, or scared of what people will think of you, sometimes people just have to take the plunge. and one of the frightening things about it is that people who you love and care about will suddenly turn on you. i know that in my experience (i came out in an all-girls catholic high school), i convinced myself that everyone would hate me, that i would be ostracized and left for dead, possibly even expelled. but once i did come out, it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be, not in the slightest. i wasn't mercilessly made fun of, and while there were girls that gave me looks and wouldn't let me touch them, it was because i pushed the line out so far that i was shocked when it was only those things that happened.for you, that might be how you're viewing it. again, for some, feeling comfortable with your sexuality takes years whereas for others, they come out right away. that's something only you can know. if and when you feel ready to tell them, sometimes it helps to just be blunt and lay it down on the table. get it out of the way. and like deedlebag said, if they are truly your friends, they will love you regardless.