When I came out, I told my two best friends — one a queer girl two years older than me, and one a straight cis ally in one of my classes. Both were extremely supportive and immediately asked me for my chosen name and pronouns; I also have a few friends at school whom I can openly converse with about queer culture, media, and life. My parents are extremely LGBT-phobic so I am closeted at home, but I have amazing sources of support! I am so glad I was brave enough to open up to such wonderful friends; to all those queer ppl out there feeling lost and alone, you will find your place! (Transgender boyflux/Bisexual)
Story #2722
When I came out, I started by beading myself a bunch of pride jewelry and ordering a black and purple ring to wear on the middle finger of my right hand. I often wrote about being aroace with strangers on the internet. I didn’t specifically tell anyone I knew in real life for a few years, because I didn’t think they would understand my lack of attraction. I finally brought it up in conversation with one of my best friends, and she was very supportive. Maybe someday I’ll tell my family about my orientation too. (Wonderful woman/Fabulous fifties/Amazing aroace)
Story #2721
When I came out, I was around 13 and my sister was 10 or 11, and I was sitting on my bed and talking to my sister, and I told her I liked a girl in my class. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but she told me, “Either you tell our mom or I will.” Then she called my mom into the room, and that’s how I told my mom I liked girls. Her response was “Are you sure you don’t just want to be her friend?” She accepts me now, but it took a while to get there. (Genderfluid/18/Pan)
Story #2720
When I came out to my best friend, it was 9:30pm. I was writing a text message about how I am gender fluid and Omniromantic, and it went well. I told her that I liked a boy and she was very happy for me and started calling me by my preferred name. 🙂 (Genderfluid/13/Omniromantic)
Story #2719
When I was about 15 I started thinking about guys. When I was about 21 I had my first experience when a friend seduced me. I liked it and at time was still interested in girls but thought this is nice and I don’t need to worry about getting a girl pregnant! I started going to gay bars and started dating men and while not all worked out I dated a couple of girls again but met my first real boyfriend at 24 at a LGBT Social Meeting. From that point on I have only been in relationships with men and while I understand women can be attractive I can’t actually imagine having sex with a female. I know I love men and may have been born gay but did not realize my feelings until 15 and by 24 I completely accepted and embraced being gay. I am a hairy happy gay versatile bear (preferably a bottom though). Currently single again but hoping to find my true top bear future husband. (M/62)
Story #2718
When I came out originally I was nine. I told my mom I didn’t feel like a girl most days, but she just told me to focus on being a ten year old girl, as my birthday was the next day. I came out again around eleven. Again, I was just told to be a girl. I officially came out and said I was trans when I was thirteen… I got hit with the “I support you, but…” and she went on a tangent about how God made me a girl, not a boy. When I got into an argument about something else, my dad started yelling about how if I want to be a boy, I should go out and do “boy sh**”. Overall it went terrible, and for them “loving me unconditionally”, it surely doesn’t feel like it. I told them I did not like my body and essentially was told to get over it. (M/14/FTM)
Story #2717
When I came out, I was really scared because I live in Russia. The first person I told was my cousin, and she was actually super happy — she had always wanted a “gay friend” (even though I’m not gay, but okay). Later I formed my own little community in my city. Now we usually hang out as a group of 10–15 people — all gay, bi, or just guys who like guys. It feels amazing to have this support here. Coming out to my mom was harder. She’s not just religious — she’s part of a sect. During one fight I shouted, “I’m omni!” She didn’t understand at first, googled it, and the next morning simply texted me: “Your choice.” We haven’t talked about it since. My dad is military and very homophobic, so I won’t tell him until I’m independent. Now most people know about my gender, and it’s not such a big secret anymore. Honestly, for someone living in a homophobic country, that feels really powerful. (Demiboy/14/Omnisexual)
Story #2716
When I came out I promised myself that I would not deny it if people asked if I were gay, and I even brought up the topic around my classmates indirectly. For a whole year, nobody asked me, but finally, in the beginning of grade 9, I was talking with some friends at school and one of them asked me if I were gay. I didn’t deny or confirm it, but I was being quite obvious. I later confirmed that I was gay to them on text. In June, I came out to my older brother at a pride parade (he wanted to go, I went with him). Still not out to my parents. I know they are transphobic but not sure if they are homophobic as well. (M/15/Gay)
Story #2715
When I came out, my mom asked me why I felt that way. I asked her why she felt ‘that way’ about my dad. She asked what she did wrong, but reminded me she still loved me. I was expecting to be kicked out of the house. About a year later now, she’s still not 100% on board, but she’s gotten better. (F/19/Lesbian)
Story #2714
When I came out people said, “We all know” “What took you so long” “We were waiting for you to tell us” “I know, I thought you were going to tell me something bad had happened, like you had cancer or something.” (To be honest, I had the world’s slowest social transition.)