When I first came out, I was 15. I was in denial about my infatuation with my same-sex best friend of four years. I was so confused about my emotions for so long that I’d write poetry about it for only my eyes to see. It took me those four years to finally realize and confess to her. For the longest time before that, I tried my hardest to appear like a ‘normal’ woman to a point where I rejected those part of the same identity as me and I’ve come to regret it. I used to essentially be a ‘pick me’, catering to men for their validation, only to realize that I didn’t even want their attention to begin with. (F/20/Demi)
Story #2500
When I came out it was as a 57-year-old gay dad. My wife’s reaction was silence, as if to say “I thought so”. Some people did not believe me as it suited them to believe otherwise. Coming out as a gay man with children is more common than you would expect. It was a great relief to escape from the closet and be me — one of the best things I have ever done and have no regrets whatsoever, except that I wish I had done it years ago. (M/60/Homosexual/gay man)
Story #2499
When I came out my family didn’t believe me. So I started making out with my girlfriend in front of them. They soon quickly realised I wasn’t joking. Some of them are struggling to come to terms but that’s their issue. 👩❤️💋👩🏳️🌈👩❤️💋👩🏳️🌈 (F/23/Lesbian)
Story #2498
When I came out as trans at 10 years old, my mom told me that I was just depressed. I had recently had an early start to puberty, and my developing chest had inspired a new and profoundly dysphoric discomfort with my body. Because I had never met another trans person, never heard of it being a possibility, I didn’t have the words to fully describe what I was feeling, and as a result I wasn’t able to properly express what I was experiencing. She told me that everyone hates themselves during puberty and it was just a combination of my hormones and my genetic predisposition to mental illness. It would pass, she said. I was wrong, she said. I went back into the closet for another two years, and when I tried to refind my identity I remembered what she said and for a long, long time I was so afraid of being wrong that I refused to admit I was a man. I cycled through a million identities, sets of pronouns, before I finally decided that no one knew me better than me and announced to the world at 16 that I was a man and nothing was going to change that. My mom came around eventually and now I’m 18 and 5 months on hormones. Things got better, but it was hard. (FtM/18)
Story #2497
When I came out as non-binary and pan, I was 12. Some of my friends supported me and some did not, but I met a group called deep. And they are really supportive. A lot of people still call me by my dead name but I have learned to deal with it… (Non-binary/Ace/pansexual)
Story #2496
When I came out, I was probably around 10-13. I first came out as bisexual, which I was wrong, girls suck (not all girls), then came to terms with being transgender at the age of 13, though I had to hide it. Mom found out by looking through my messages. Even now as an FTM she still uses “god sees it as a sin.” I recently came out to most teachers and have a supportive teacher. Some still want to force me in the box/force me to come out in documents. I am proud to say that I’m gay. (Transgender male/17/DemiGay polyamorous)
Story #2495
When I came out to my friends at a sleepover they were all super weird. I know they accepted me but I hate how awkward it was. It’s not fair. We are different but that shouldn’t mean we have to feel like outsiders. Like what if we didn’t have to even think about being accepted or loved? What if we could just be us and it was normal?? And people didn’t look at us weird?? I really hope for the people that come after us that they don’t have to deal with anything this community does every day. (F/13/Bi)
Story #2494
When my parents found out I was lesbian they freaked out and said they would no longer love me and God would never ever love me again and I was heartbroken. That was last year when I was 12. I’m 13 now and I still think about that, and to this day I still try to end it all but something stops me. I can’t imagine what they would say if I told them I wanted and felt that I’m a boy not a girl, but I can’t bring myself to it. So for now I’m just a disappointment to the family, but if they ever found out I was trans I would be the laughingstock of the family.
Story #2493
When I came out to my friends and some of my family, I was 11. I was scared but when I told them I was non-binary and pan they were supportive. My aunt still calls me my dead name at times but I don’t think she really means it… but yea I have a lovely boyfriend. (Non-binary/14/Pansexual)
Story #2492
When I came out to my boyfriend and my friends, I told my friend on the way back from the ren fair. I told him I am a man and my preferred name and he was happy for me!! :DDDD and Then I told my boyfriend over text that I am a man and he was fine with it cause he’s pansexual. I recently got a binder and I am going to wait to tell my parents :DD (FtM/14/Bisexual)