When I came out, my parents had always been a little passive aggressive about trans or lgbtq people in general. I came out a total of 3 times, and hundreds of signals I was trans since the age of 8. They are (probably pretending) still clueless. I pass well and I have been stealth in my school for the past 2 years. (FtM/15)
Story #2650
When I came out to my parents as pansexual I was 9, and my parents were very supportive, even if they did act like it was a phase. When I was 11 I came out as a lesbian, because I had never really had crushes on men, I just saw them as friends. My friends were all very supportive and I couldn’t be more lucky with the way that things turned out. I am coming out to my mom’s side of the family this weekend, and I hope it goes well. Good luck to anyone who is/is thinking about coming out. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2649
When I came out, I didn’t know about the LGBTQIA+ at all. I just told my parents, “I want to be a boy” and “I’m a boy”. They didn’t believe me at first, but started to realize I actually meant it when I told my friends at school in grade 2 and 3. They were a bit confused but really supportive from grade 4 and on, when I did a presentation about it in my class. My life is going pretty great, regardless of my hated middle name and nickname, and I run a Pride Club at my school. (M/12/Demiromantic/pansexual/FtM trans)
Story #2648
When I came out, my parents weren’t sure if it was a joke. In eighth grade, my friends and I made a pact to all come out with the classic “I’m straight, April fools!” to parents, and I sent the text right before two long hours of swim practice. My dad was silent the car ride home, until he asked if I was serious about my text. He said, “So, are you gay?” and I said “Kinda?” and after clarifying to my mom she said, “Okay” and that was that — I guess that was all I could ask for. The subject will never not be awkward; they will never not make subtly homophobic comments; it will take a lot for me to feel comfortable in my sexuality around my family. Still, I can be grateful. (F/16)
Story #2647
When I came out, I was 10 years old. I thought I was bi at the time, but when I told my parents they said that I was “too young” and I was being “influenced” by a friend I had at the time. Now, I know I am queer, sapphic, and non-binary. I am not going to tell my parents because of their reaction when I was younger, but I am out to a few friends and it feels AMAZING to be able to talk about it and make gay jokes. If your parents don’t accept you, I am sending hugs and please know that I love you and accept you always. (Non-binary/13/Queer/sapphic)
Story #2646
When I came out was so weird. Being trans can be so painful but so joyful as it is, but whenever I was asked about my future as a child, I just couldn’t envision my future as a woman. But since I came to terms with my gender and came out, I’ve felt so much inner peace and I can finally picture myself as an adult, a guy, not a girl. My family are kind of touchy on the subject and their reaction when I came out was mixed. Thankfully they use my name and it seems like(?) they’re trying with my pronouns. Whatever happens, I don’t care what they think. Coming to terms and realising my true identity has been the best thing ever; I finally feel at peace with myself knowing who I really am. I can’t wait for the day I can find a lover and start a happy, loving and accepting family and break that generational trauma that looms over my head. (Trans man / 15 / Unlabeled)
Story #2645
When I came out to my mom I was 16 and she said, “I know.” Honestly I felt relieved that she didn’t say anything negative. Which was better than her bf reaction who told me if I don’t change I am going to hell. My mom accepts me and supports me even if she does say unflavory words about other people in the community that I always correct her on. (F/19)
Story #2644
When I came out, my mum brushed past it and ended up outing me to a close friend of hers. My mum told me that it was just a phase and I’d get past it. This was years ago, and I am still so full of hurt and dysphoria but I’m coping. I still haven’t really told any of my friends yet because I’m scared I’ll get hurt too. (Genderfluid/15/Asexual)
Story #2643
When I came out I was 15 and having a breakdown in a cafeteria with my mother, but I wish I’d done it much earlier. I said I wanted to be a boy a lot of times when I was younger, but I got really closed-off in general at some point and wanted to avoid the topic of my gender with my family for years because I thought they would make it awkward and not understand. Nobody was surprised when I did get around to telling them, though, and now I’ve got a name and am living like me. (FtM/16)
Story #2642
When I came out, it was really tough and heartbreaking. My mom was silent during the time while my dad called me an imaginative freak because he believes that asexuality is imaginary and not real. I was sad and depressed after that and the second I moved out at 18, which was in May, I felt free. I attended my first Pride Parade three months ago. (M/18/Asexual)