When I came out I was in a classroom full of now-former toxic friends, including my toxic crush who commented, “Wow, everyone in the room is so godd*mn gay” after someone else had mentioned their same-gender ex. Little middle school me, for whatever reason, decided it would be a wonderful idea to randomly blurt out, “That’s me!” Cue absolute silence in the classroom. I had been working out my sexuality for months now, after realizing my strange obsession with my friend wasn’t simply an obsession, it was, in fact, a huge-a** crush. The kids in that classroom went on to say some pretty awful things to me that year, after finding out who exactly my crush was, causing me to switch schools. This was the best choice I ever made, as now I have the best friends a queer little dork like me could ask for, who will support and love me no matter what my sexuality may be. (Female/non-binary/5/Pansexual)
Story #2476
When I came out, it was to some friends at first. My best story is recent, and it was to a guy in my school, during our school’s camp. You see, I’m a fantasy lover, so I decided to write on a piece of paper and make it into a small scroll. I wrote down that I was trans, and explained what it meant. During snack time, I was talking to my friend, and with encouragement, I dropped it next to his water bottle when he wasn’t looking. I watched him read it, look around, and then his friend read it. Yeah, his friend read it. During a bus ride the next day, I asked them if they approved of it. His answer: “Of course! It doesn’t affect your personality and anyone who thinks it does is probably stupid.” I did come out to my parents before the school year, but they were VERY unsupportive. (Transgender Boy/12/Pansexual)
Story #2475
When I came out I was looking with my mom at pride flags on the internet when I found a picture with a bisexual flag on it and I said, “That’s my flag.” And then she just said, “Okay, I never knew.” And then we just continued with looking at the flags. I was quite comfortable in that moment because my mom has always been queer positive. She is cis-hetero. I haven’t come out yet to my dad yet. I have come out to one of my pansexual and bigender friend that I have a crush on. She’s very nice. (F/10/Bisexual)
Story #2474
When I came out I hung a giant pride flag on my wall. My parents say they support me. But it’s been super awkward.. Luckily I have my best friend/crush. (Nonbinary/12/Demisexual)
Story #2473
When I came out, I came out to my friends first. Most of them I already know were somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, while some I didn’t and I was happy to learn what they were too! On the last day of school we decided to buy a bunch of pride flags and pins (since our last day was June 1st). It was awesome! We got a lot of positive feedback! Our straight ally friend even made us “gaycelets” (bracelets in the form of our specific pride flags). (F/12/Pansexual/Demisexual/Demiromantic)
Story #2472
When I came out, I told my friends first (many of whom are gay) and they automatically supported me, no questions asked. When I finally decided to come out to my parents half a year later after I found my identity, I composed a lengthy text message and sent it to them both while they were out of the house. When they came home, we had a talk in my bedroom–and my Christian parents just hugged me and said, “We love you–so love who you love.” I started crying because I was afraid they wouldn’t accept me…and yet they did. (Non-binary/Pansexual)
Story #2471
When I came out to my mother as nonbinary (she already knew I liked girls; this was before I figured out I was oriented aroace and liked nonbinary peeps too), she seemed okay with it and actually sort of seemed like she already suspected. My stepfather came into the same room about half way through to make a fire, and my mom just kept talking about it even though I didn’t want him to hear because he has said some questionable things about trans people in the past. He definitely heard the conversation, but didn’t comment, didn’t talk to me, and just kept sighing and rolling his eyes. He hasn’t brought it up since; in fact, he seems to call me a girl every chance he gets (practically in every sentence e.g. “You’re a smart girl…”, “Come on, girl!”, etc.), and my mom also calls me a girl and doesn’t use they/them pronouns with me. I’m still figuring out whether I should bring it up with them, come out to my stepfather properly, or if I wasn’t explicit enough. (Nonbinary-Trans and Agenspec Polygender/11/Omniaspec Enbitrix Oriented Aroace)
Story #2470
When I came out, it was back in January. I have actually documented my story not too long ago, but that was before I came out to my dad and sister. Me and family were going to a pride parade (my first one!!) and before we left, I sat my dad down, showed him my flag, and told him I was aroace. He said that he kinda knew already because of my disinterest in romance. He said he obviously still loved me and didn’t say anything that I was too young because he knows that I know best. I was so happy! When I went to the parade, my sister noticed it but didn’t ask about it. Just remember you’re valid! And to my ace-spec and aro-spec fam: You are totally part of the community! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! (F/13/Aroace)
Story #2469
When I came out I first told my friend. I had already told her that I was a lesbian so it wasn’t that hard. Then I said it to my sister that gay too. They all accepted me. It took me long time to tell my parents and everyone is being supportive. But no remembers to use my real name and that makes me uncomfortable. (Non-binary/12)
Story #2468
When I came out I was 9, and before that I never realized that there were other genders or loves. It only came to my mind when my now best friend moved across the street and one of her older siblings was non-binary and I was like, that’s a thing! I realized that was how I felt and I told my best friend, then I sat my parents down and said, “I’m non-binary.” They were like, “Okay” and they have been super supportive ever since. (Non-binary/12/Pansexual)