When I came out as lesbian it was about 6 months ago, but I had known I liked girls way before that. First I came out to my best friend, who was really nice about it, and we were talking about crushes and we both just blurted we had a crush on each other. It was awkward for like a day but then things went back to normal. When I came out to my mom as lesbian it wasn’t too long after I came out to my best friend, and I was so scared so decided to write it down and give the note to her. She was surprised but supportive, but I haven’t come out as nonbinary yet to anyone. (Nonbinary/12/Lesbian)
Story #2684
When I came out, it was tough for not only me, but my family as well. We were a very strict and religious household and my parents firmly believe that heterosexuality is the only sexuality that is deemed good. A couple hours after I came home from school, me and my family were eating dinner when my dad brought up politics, which he normally does as a lawyer, and I blurted out my bisexuality and non-binary identity. My mom looked at me as if I was crazy and my dad dramatically let out a groan. We haven’t talked since, but it feels a bit relieving that I’m out. (Non-binary/15/Bisexual)
Story #2683
When I came out to my mother, the conversation went on over a multiple years. The first time I came out, she had hugged me all very suddenly and asked if I was gay. I whispered that I was bi. She didn’t understand what that was and I explained it. We didn’t talk about until the next time. I asked her after a meal if she remembered what we talked about. She replied yes. The conversation went on for a couple more minutes. I made a joke as the conversation was ending: “At least you’re not telling me it’s a phase.” She went on to talk about how she does think it’s a phase, making comments about how since she went to a girls only school, it is normal to feel crushes on the older girls because you look up to them but that it would go away after a while. I didn’t want to unpack that. I simply asked if the grandparents would ever accept me. I was given a resounding no. (F/Bi)
Story #2682
When I came out to a cousin, it was a spur of the thing. We were in a small group of friends lining up for a roller coaster and some jokes had been made about being gay. I replied something like “I’m bi, not gay”. I did have to explain to the group the difference between being gay and bisexual. I was quite scared for this cousin’s reaction as our mutual grandparents are quite religious and had not reacted well when the news talked about an openly out politician. When I asked them about their reaction, they said things like “God made Adam and Eve”.
Story #2681
When I came out my parents looked at me in shock. I thought it was already known in my household as I recall coming out four times previously. The family is quite religious. They simply stated that “you know what preference we prefer.” My mother later stated she wishes she did not send me to my place of education. (F/Bisexual)
Story #2680
When I came out, I was talking to my friend. I had already come out to myself, and she is one of the only people who is not religious where I live and that is why I could not/cannot come out to my family or other friends. We were in private, and I decided I would finally come out. I got really shaky, and I almost cried a bit, and I said, “You know how I flirt with girls? Well, that is fake.” (I pretended to have huge crushes on girls so that no one would suspect anything. I was also really bad at flirting because I had no actual attraction to them.) She whispered, “So, are you gay?” and I nodded and she said, “Oh my gosh, that is totally OK, that makes so much sense.” That is when the tears really started and I am so grateful for her. She is still really supportive and hasn’t told anyone. I feel so much better. Still haven’t come out to anyone else, because again, everyone is super religious. (M/14/Gay)
Story #2679
When I came out first, I was like 11 or so. It was to my parents; I told my mother first that I was a lesbian. She was really supportive and my dad was too. I told it almost immediately, so they were a great help. Then, around half a year ago, I realised I wasn’t a girl. I first thought I was a demigirl, but after a while I realised I was nonbinary. My parents supported me again, but they needed time to adjust. Now they really try to use my pronouns, but it is hard to them. At school it’s worse; I am out to my friends, but they never use my right pronouns. My class can be really homophobic and that hurts. There is one boy I think is okay; however, he says really mean stuff, not to my face, but I can hear it… I hope it gets better, and I hope that everyone can be who they are. Never give up! (Nonbinary/13/Lesbian)
Story #2678
When I came out today to my new friend, she told me that she always felt nervous around a shared friend of ours. I told her I liked that same friend too. We were both squealing and hugging each other because we finally found someone else who shares the same sexuality. (F/Bisexual)
Story #2677
When I came out, I did it in a letter, writing it online and then showing it to my parents from my computer. The first thing they both said was that they knew, and they had read my messages to my friends — I had come out to my friends gradually and explained it fully to them that day. It was a bit of a stressful process because my parents sat me down and asked me every question they could (my anxiety made me really stressed out so I was crying), and it took a while for them to adjust. My parents say they try with pronouns, but they also say that “my generation labels ourselves too much and they don’t have to use my preferred pronouns because of that”. They’re super supportive of other people but have a hard time adjusting to me (even three years later). However, my friends are amazingly supportive and ask me my pronouns each day – for other genderfluid kids: you are loved and valid and supported and should find your people who love you. (Genderfluid/15/Panromantic/asexual)
Story #2676
When I came out, it wasn’t always easy. I have known that I was queer since I was 9 or 10 though, because I always felt a connection to the LGBTQ+ community. I liked my female friend when I was 11 and decided I was bisexual. When I was 12, I realized that I really didn’t like guys at all, and lesbian fit me better. After starting middle school, I began to feel dysphoric, but I couldn’t understand why. Eventually, I came out to my parents as a demigirl, but they weren’t always supportive. However, I am now 13 and I would like to use they/she pronouns. I am a proud lesbian :). I am going to get the short haircut I have wanted for a while in a week! It’s not always easy to be queer, but it gets better. (Demigirl/13/Lesbian)