Listen to both spacial and lilacwoman and others who will chime in - Truer words have never been spoken.
I'm sure it was hard to come out to your family but I'm sure some of them already had an idea that something "different" had been brewing in your head for quite some time. If these folks have really been friends for as long as you say, they probably would have seen it also. We have all seen relarionships go down the tubes with drug abuse - could that have been a factor in your friends' drifting away. The sober moonspirited isn't the same as she was before, she's better and wiser.
I tried to come out to a friend yesterday - but as it turned out, Sally already knew - or at least had a pretty solid idea - that I coexist with my 8 to 5 self. My next hurdle will be meeting her in person but somehow that thought doesn't scare me as much as telling her did.
If they are indeed friends, they will stick by you; if not what have you lost? Nothing... because there was really nothing there to start with. Plus you still have a huge bunch of friends who won't leave you right here.
Take care,
Susan