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)
Story #2479
When first I came out, it was on accident. I was around 10-11, arguing with my mom about bisexuals/gays, and accidentally said “We’re” instead of “They’re” lol (I don’t identify as a bisexual anymore). But recently, I came out as a transguy to my close family (this is because I told the counselor I wanted to hurt myself, partly because of how I felt about my identity). I’ve been in the closet as a transguy for around two to three years now (used to identify as lesbian, then bisexual, then nonbinary, then finally transmale). But by the time I’d told my mom, I was out to my whole school, my close cousins, and even people online. She’s still having a hard time accepting now, but I’ve got it better than others. I’ve got a great support system at school (not minding the bullies) and in my close family, so I’m not as suicidal as before. (Transmale/13/Omnisexual)
Story #2478
When I came out, it was to my friend who had previously come out to me as bi, and who knew I was aroace. I casually asked her if she used trans people’s real pronouns or not, which she did. I then added on that I use my name instead of pronouns. She accepted me for who I am, which I really appreciated. I also later joined a pride group chat, and might invite my friend as well. (Trans Nonbinary Bigender [Agender and Genderfluid]/15/ Aromantic Asexual Trans Nonbinary Pangender Genderfluid Agender Bigender)
Story #2477
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)