When I came out as bisexual, I was 13. In elementary school, when my friends and I played pretend, I’d always play a guy and I’d always try to flirt with my female friends. In middle school, I discovered I had a fiendish attraction to Rosario Dawson, and I once typed “am I gay?” into Google before closing the tab out of shame. I knew I had crushes on boys, but I didn’t accept my attraction to women until I was 13. I remember sitting in my room alone, texting my friend, “I think I might be bisexual.” It took a while to type because my fingers were shaking so much. And she said something like, “That’s wonderful!” Immediate acceptance and love. My mother’s reaction was not so affirming. At least the first time I came out set a good standard. (Non-binary/21/Queer)
Story #2488
When I came out I was 16. My family looked like their whole life died in one single moment. I was kicked out of my home and every time I tried to go back my dad will try to shoot me with his gun, which he shoot a bullet through my leg once. But now I’m doing better. I have a lover who is trans male like me and we adopted two lovely kids. (M/22/Trans/pansexual)
Story #2487
When I first came out, it was to my mom. I was 13 years old and extremely nervous and couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. She ended up guessing it and we hugged. It felt really relieving, even though we have never really talked about it. Almost a year later, I came out to all the girls in my class, when we were playing kiss marry kill on a school trip. I had to choose girls (cuz I’m not gonna lie about my sexuality) and I felt like everyone in the room went silent for a second, because it was kinda unexpected and I’m more like the silent kid in the background. But then the game went on and everything was nice. Later, my friends and I talked about sexualities and stuff and everyone was really supportive 🙂 I still have to come out to my dad though, but I’m gonna manage that somehow. I don’t think he’s homophobic. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2486
When I came out, it was a weight lifted off my shoulder and I finally felt liberated. The last couple of years have been a journey of understanding myself and what type of support I want to see for myself in the long term. I have recently begun to acknowledge and come to terms with the fact that I identify my sexuality as fluid in terms of my attractions and interests. I have recently come out to myself as bi and fluid in the last couple of months. I am still learning and finding ways to see what community looks like for me as I re-come out to those close to my friend circle. I am not out with everyone yet as I still understand what this means for me. As I unpack some of the internalized biphobia that I had harbored due to denying part of myself, it has allowed me to explore different parts of my identity. I am just growing into myself and recognizing the importance of unconditional love and healing from past wounds. (M/27/Bisexual/fluid)
Story #2485
When I came out to my best friend, we were walking home together. I got really quiet, and she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then I said it: I am a boy. She didn’t say anything at first. Then she smiled, and asked what my name was. When I told her, she said it was beautiful, and that I was beautiful and so brave. I started crying, and she hugged me until I calmed down. She held my hand all the way home, and I remember feeling so loved. She moved away a couple months after that, but she is still one of the best friends I’ve ever had. (M/14/Transgender+Gay)
Story #2484
When I came out as gay to my family I felt so much better and less alone. I have been a lesbian my whole life and I have hid this from my family because I was afraid of not being accepted. I used to pretend to have crushes on guys just so I would be seen as normal. But this made me feel extremely alone and my mental health suffered. Now that I came out I can finally be myself and talk about girls I like. I am so much happier and my mental health has improved a lot. My family is very supportive and I’m thankful they love and accept me. (F/Lesbian)
Story #2483
When I came out I had just realised that morning when I walked into school that I was Aromantic (and Asexual, though more specifically aro). I’d known about the term for a couple years and had identified as pansexual for a bit longer and had only then just realised, no build up to it but a sudden realisation. My coming out story has more to do with coming out and realising it myself and that it felt like a comfortable jacket that I had been missing. My friends were all understanding and it wasn’t as much of a big deal. With my parents I more or less haven’t used the term and more statements referring to the fact I don’t experience or like sexual or romantic attraction. I tried telling my Mum but she didn’t understand entirely, so it’s easier to do it in a more vague way.
Story #2482
When I came out for the first time I was 17. I had forced myself to have crushes on guys before but I slowly realised that I was in fact a lesbian. I first came out to my best friend who I had a crush on. I was so nervous, but she took it really well and it turned out she is also a lesbian and we started kissing. Unfortunately my mum walks in as we are doing this and is really shocked but supportive. Overall I couldn’t have had a better coming out and my girlfriend is amazing. (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #2481
When I came out I told my 3 best friends first. I came out as lesbian, friend 1 also came out as a lesbian. Friend 2 came out as bisexual and friend 3 came out as pansexual. Friend 1 and I are now dating and friends 2 and 3 are dating. (F/Lesbian)
Story #2480
When I came out to my friend group, it was kinda weird. They all supported me except for two people (There are 6 people in the friend group not including me). They all said they supported me but no one actually uses my preferred name or pronouns. I’m not sure if this even counts as being out, but I guess I tried. (M/12/Transgender/gay man)