When I came out to my best friend about a year ago, he was a little confused, but supportive, and now I talk to him about all the guys I have crushes on and we joke and laugh about it. More recently I came out to my school counselors, and honestly I had figured they already knew, but they didn’t. They knew I had something I wasn’t comfortable telling them, and that it was the source of my high levels of anxiety and depression, but after telling them I saw everything just click into place and it was really validating and satisfying to find out how supportive they are. And now they want updates on if I start talking to someone lol. It is nice to know that there are people in my hometown of less than a thousand mostly Christian people that accept me for me. (M/16/Homosexual)
Story #2737
When I came out, my mom was working from home in my parents’. My dad was downstairs. I was sick of hiding who I was. I’d been secretly not wearing the bras my mom bought me and I’d been experiencing intense gender dysphoria. I went into my mom’s room and asked, “What’s your opinion on nonbinary people?” Her response was, “I don’t really have an opinion on them. Why?” I glanced around the room. “Okay then,” my mom sighed. She called my dad upstairs to have a private discussion. I was crying. The night before, I’d asked my mom, “What do I do if I don’t want to tell you something because I’m afraid you won’t understand or think it’s valid?” And me being nonbinary was the thing. After the discussion, my parents said they believe that I feel nonbinary. They said they’d get me bra substitutes. But refused to refrain from using feminine labels and said they would keep calling me by she/her. I took it as a half-win.
Story #2736
When I came out I was just casually gaming with my best friend, when he suddenly out of nowhere asked, “Are you gay?” I had an internal oh shit moment and then decided to answer truthfully, because I’m a bad liar. We rarely-never spoke about it and that was all. But the emotional stress in that situation was unbelievable. (M/Gay)
Story #2735
When I came out, I was 15. It was my freshman year of high school and I was at a new school. I had come to realize over the summer that I am a trans male. I came out to my friends and told them my new name and they accepted me. When I started school I introduced myself to teachers, friends, peers, as ethan. It felt amazing to finally feel like myself. However, my parents still didn’t know. One day, one of my favourite teachers wrote a really sweet and kind note about me using my name, ethan. It was sent in an email to my parents. I ended up getting student of the month and on the certificate it had my name on it. So, I decided to tell my parents that day. Hoping that I’d be able to tell them before the email did. I told them. They were supportive and accepting, I couldn’t have asked for more. It was amazing. I finally feel like me. (Transmasc genderfluid/Trans male/15/ Pansexual/demisexual/demiromantic)
Story #2734
When I came out to my mom I first tried to come out over a phone call. I was so scared, all I could say to her was that I had been wearing girls clothes. I felt ashamed and embarrassed as I hung up and went to work. Before I clocked in I texted her the full truth and that I was sorry for lying to her, that I wanted to be her daughter. Now my mother, to her great shame, had fallen asleep after our call that morning. She left that text unopened for 3 hours of blind panic at work. She did accept me. She later had some fumbles with our relationship but I am very proud of how she handled my coming out (F/28/Trans feminine)
Story #2733
When I came out I was around late twelve/early 13. I basically had a hunch in fifth grade but I was so confused. I was attracted to a bunch of random girls and didn’t have a full crush until 7th grade which is when I told my friends. I’ve only told two people irl but they’re accepting of it. Coming out for real is honestly super scary because what if all the girls in my grade are disgusted with me (I go to a small school). And idk some of my friends also gay jokes and I don’t want anyone to see me differently. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2732
When I came out, I was at Glastonbury festival watching a band. This bloke started making lude comments to the artist. I said between songs that you are not her type. He replied, drunk, so are you. I said no. A woman said that she was gay. When this man started saying that all gay people shouldn’t be able to attend Glastonbury, they should be forced to leave, I said are you going to make me leave then for being gay. People around were saying good for you in standing up for yourself and others. One of my friends just said I don’t suppose you wanted to come out like that. Nothing else was said. We still have a good friendship and go to gigs. (M/52/Gay)
Story #2731
When I came out I had just turned 18. My best friend kept making homophobic remarks and I just decided I had had enough, so I painted a pride flag and hung it on the door of my room. My friend then came for a visit and saw it, then she asked me if I was queer. I came out as a lesbian and surprisingly, she has been really supportive — I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative remark from her since then. It made me believe that even homophobes can change, because the people who truly care about us won’t mind who we are and who we love. (F/19/Lesbian and demisexual)
Story #2730
When I came out, I had to do it twice. First to my parents when I was around 10, and they were pretty accepting and immediately started using my new pronouns. But it wasn’t until I came back from winter break in the 7th grade that I finally told people, when I was almost 13. Some people were pretty awful, but I found other people that were like me and learned to ignore what other people thought. (Agender [they/them]/12/Maybe ace/demi but only for women/questioning)
Story #2729
When I came out it was a mess. I didn’t know who I was or who I loved. It was quite hard. I struggled finding me throughout primary school, but as soon as I went to high school it got better. I didn’t have an epiphany moment (which I wanted) but I learnt to love, love my friends, romantically other people and me. This part was quite difficult, I didn’t love me, but it’s been a year since then and now I do. I don’t know what I’m doing but I think I’m now ok with that. My love life is still certainly a mess but I can sleep at night not having any regrets. (F/13)