When I came out I was about 13. I told my friends first, who were all really accepting, given some of them were LGBTQ+ as well, and my sister had known for a while as well, and she was lesbian. I came out to my parents a while later about my sexuality, by baking a cake – they were fine with it too, even though they don’t know about me being agender yet. For anyone who’s having a hard time or isn’t accepted, keep going!! One day you’ll find someone, either a friend or a partner, who loves you just the way you are. (Agender/Demipanromantic Graysexual)
Story #2400
When I came out, I was eleven. I texted my best friend at 1 A.M. (in my time zone, not hers – it was about noon there), and she was really confused about why I’m not sleeping. I quickly typed out that I was non-binary and my pronouns were they/them (still are!). She responded, “Meh…you never liked much of the girly stuff but you never seemed like a boy either. This seems like the right fit.” I am so grateful to have a person to confide my joy and fears to.
Story #2399
When I came out, I was at the school art club and I made a badge with ‘he/him’ written on it. My friend saw and asked if they were my new pronouns. When I said yes she was very supportive and was there for me when I came out to some of my other friends. (M/13/Gay)
Story #2398
When I came out I was 12 (7th grade). I had come out as lesbian to my mom; she was accepting of it as she was bisexual. On the other hand, my grandma thought I was too young to actually know. As time went on, when I got into the 8th grade, I wasn’t very happy with my gender. I never wanted to say I was a boy cause I felt it was wrong to think so I said I was nonbinary. I recently came out to my mom as trans and she’s trying to get used to it. I’m still trying to figure it all out, though. (M/15/Transgender/bisexual)
Story #2397
When I came out to one of my football teammates, it was “Oktoberfest” at our sportsclub. And nearly the whole team was present; we were drinking, and then we all ended up in one of the changing rooms. We had a lot of fun, and then I suddenly had a serious talk with one of them, and that was the moment when she asked me: “Do you like boys or girls more?” And I said girls and everything was fine and I felt a lot relieved. (23/Lesbian)
Story #2396
When I came out, I was already 41. My family has always known me to be boy crazy, so telling them I also liked women was incredibly shocking. I told them I wanted to live my life authentically, which meant dating someone that I matched with regardless of how they identify. They have been supportive, but it would have been so much harder if I didn’t have the support of my closest friends. (F/41/Bisexual)
Story #2395
When I came out it was in July 1992. I was 17 years old and I told a school friend, and he told me he was gay as well. We remained friends until life took another direction for him. I am now 47 years old. I have been single all my life and I’m still on a journey to accept myself and feel that it’s fine to be gay. My first crush was Mike Nolan from Bucks Fizz in 1981 and Christopher Reeve in Superman 2 . I still have hope that one day I will meet a soul mate and he will be my Superman. (M/47/Gay)
Story #2394
When I came out, I got up super early for a teenager and nervously asked my mom if we could chat. She was like, “Oh no, are you pregnant?” I started laughing and was like, “Umm the opposite, I like girls”. My mom laughed and stated, “You made a big deal out of that? Your father and I kind of figured that out a while ago that you probably liked girls as well. What do you want for dinner tonight?”
Story #2393
When I came out I sent a text message to my best friend. She was really accepting, and I’m so grateful. I haven’t come out to anyone else yet, but I want to tell my parents so I can transition, hopefully soon. You are worthy and valid and you can come out and be the person you want to be, no matter what they say. Trust me, it’s liberating! 🏳️⚧️❤️ (F/14/Trans woman)
Story #2392
When I came out, I came out to my old friend who had moved away over text, when I was eleven. I came out to her only as ace not les but I want to. I still have not come out to my parents even though that was many years ago. I also might come out to some of my other friends on national coming out day, which is not too far away. (F/Ace/lesbian)