When I Came Out

When I came out, my best friend thought I was lying! She said, “That’s not funny, some people are gay and you shouldn’t make fun of them.” I responded, “I’m serious!” …and it took a half hour of convincing before she believed me!

When I came out as a transman it was after Mom had tried to send me home with things I had decried as “too girly for me.” When she sarcastically asked when I was going to have gender reassignment surgery she didn’t expect my response to be, “Well, actually…” but she rolled with it. My father’s response was to exclaim that we were definitely not a boring family. My brother told me he was okay with it as long as I didn’t get a penis that was bigger than his.

When I came out I discovered that the closet is a prison of my own making.

When I came out as a transman, my friend looked me up and down and said, “Well, now you make sense!”

When I came out, one of my friends thought I was conducting some kind of psychological experiment on him.

When I came out, my wife asked me to leave the house and my two kids. I took a suitcase, a chair (?), and my car. Worst experience ever.

When I came out, I told my mom and dad. My father was suffering from terminal cancer. His reaction was “I have never been more proud of you.” After my father passed away we found out he was also gay.

When I came out, my dad said, “You always were a weird little kid.” We laughed, cried, and hugged.

When I came out, my mom wanted to know who had molested me because that is how she thinks people “become” gay. She refuses to believe that I have never been sexually victimized.

When I came out, I was sure my conservative Christian parents would disown me. My mom had a few questions, and it was a non-issue. My dad’s emailed response was “I hope you’re as good for her as she seems to be for you.” We will celebrate 8 years together this year.