When I came out for the first time, I was 12 and came out to my good friend about being pan. She is cishet, and was and still is really Christian. I told her and she said, “Isn’t (insert friend’s name here) gay too?” I didn’t know that, and we have been friends since she moved to where I live at 4. I go ask them, she apparently uses she/they and is lesbian. THEY DIDN’T TELL ME! So I came out to them, and she called me gay. We haven’t talked in 2 months, since she moved. I also came out as genderfluid to my transmasc friend today and he replied “forg” (I sent a genderfluid frog) (Genderfluid/14/Pan/mono)
Story #2446
When I came out as aroace, it was to a friend who is also ace. Just for fun, we were playing the asexuality quiz on Wiki How and both got ace (we both already knew we were ace). We’ve known each other for 6 years, and we could understand each other without saying anything, which is really nice. I also told a few other friends that I am ace, and they were really nice about it, and not awkward like I had feared. I haven’t come out about being a demigirl yet, and I haven’t come out at all to my parents, even though they’re really supportive. I did put the flags that represent me on a bracelet; I figure that if someone knows enough about LGBTQIA+ and cares enough to ask, they’re worth giving a brief explanation. (Demigirl/13/Aroace)
Story #2445
When I came out it was to my mom. I told her that I wish I was born as a boy and how I hated myself for being and seen as a girl. My mom was very disappointed at me and told me I will never be one and always be a girl and how I have to wear dresses and skirts in school. She told me that she doesn’t support and included God, that God won’t support people like these and how they will get blind, get cancer, and also deaf. COVID-19 too. (Male FtM/13/Gay)
Story #2444
When I came out for the first time, I was a sophomore in college. I was really drunk and hadn’t even fully admitted it to myself yet, but it felt so good to have a space where people and didn’t treat me any differently. Now, four years later, I came out to my religious family. My siblings were really supportive, but I think my parents are struggling with it. I can tell they’re trying to understand and love me anyway, but it really hurt me to hear them talk about their beliefs that being gay is “just as bad” as being a thief or an abuser. (F/22/Bisexual)
Story #2443
When I came out it was in the middle of a mental breakdown. My friends and brother had known beforehand, but I was too scared to tell my parents. When I finally did, they accepted me for who I am and understood not to tell my extended family (homophobia). I am coming out to my extended family soon. Wish me luck! (F/Bisexual or lesbian)
Story #2442
When I came out the first time, I was convinced I was bi. Later, after a LOT of soul-searching, I realized that my definition of “sexual attraction” was completely different from the standard. Apparently, people don’t just find others aesthetically appealing, they also feel an urge to have sex with them? My world was turned upside-down, but I started feeling like the word “asexual” really resonated with my experiences. Coming out for the second time has been great, and to my surprise, everyone was extremely supportive. A lot of questions typically follow when aces come out, but it’s also kinda fun to explain it to people 🙂 (M/23/Asexual Gray-Biromantic)
Story #2441
When I came out to my bff, she was so proud. She asked me who the lucky girl is and I told her. This was about November of 2022. A few months after I told a few more people. One of my other friends said that she had to talk to me. She didn’t know my crush. So she asked if I liked anyone and I told her. She said that my crush likes my back. Now in February I came out to my parents by leaving a note on their bed before I went to my friend’s house. My mom texted my friend and said that she loves and supports me. Then when I got home my dad was all like “but are you sure?” (Non-binary/13/Lesbian)
Story #2440
When I came out as bi to my friends, I had told them I have had celeb crushes of many genders as well as real life crushes of different genders, and never dated anyone. They understood and accepted me! It took my parents a while to understand what I was talking about but eventually they understood. This was around mid-2021, I believe. Then, last year I came out as demigirl to my friends and parents. I told them that I have a balance of masculine and feminine personality traits and that some days my personality is more feminine and others a mix of both. I was so relieved that all of them understood and accepted. (Demigirl/18/Bi)
Story #2439
When I came out I texted my best friend when I was first questioning, and then followed up a few days later and told them that I definitely am bi. A few months later, I told my parents over text with a bi frog. My brother was at a sleepaway camp; I think he found out when he got his phone back / through my jokes. A few more months after that I realized I am gender fluid and literally chose my name on the walk to school. I told one of my friends who is kinda the center of the friend group and probolby a few others directly but most of them realized through the trickle of info about gender/sexuality. I haven’t come out to my parents as a gender bender yet but I plan to… in the next few years. Kinda scared but it’s fiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnneeeeee. Anyway I think I’m polyamorous and haven’t felt the need to tell people. If it comes up, my friends will learn something new about me. (Genderfluid/gender bender/13/Bisexual and probably polyamorous)
Story #2438
When I came out, my friends accepted me and actually used my real pronouns/corrected themselves midway! My family doesn’t know yet, and it hurts a little every time they misgender me, use she/her pronouns, etc., but I know I’ll get through it! To people who are going through similar experiences — hang on there! One day you’ll find the people who will accept you for who you are. (Agender/AroAce)