When I came out I was 12 and still thinking I was Bisexual, but I fell love with a Demi-girl and I came to my family as Pansexual and Non-binary. Maybe if I just was a little more sure on who I loved then I would knew more sooner, but I think it was the perfect timing! Love is love! Be who you are and don’t hide it! (Non-binary/12/Pansexual)
Story #2422
When I came out I was a freshman in college. I came out first to a high school friend who carpooled with me to college. The next person I came out to was my grandmother. I was sitting at the kitchen table while she was reading the newspaper. She read a personal ad in the back of a newspaper to me. She said, “Can you believe they advertise this kind of stuff?” I took that as an opening to tell her I was gay. She immediately said, “OK, let’s talk about this.” We sat at the kitchen table and talked about what being gay meant to each of us. She was immediately supportive and spoke to me like an adult. It was the first serious conversation I can remember having with an adult. She asked, “Are you sure?” I told her I was and we spoke about the difficulties I would or could encounter. That conversation helped shape my acceptance of myself. It was a huge relief and I felt like the weight of the world I was carrying was lifted off me and suddenly I was free. I was free to be ME. (M/49/Gay)
Story #2421
When I came out I told my college best friend while we were first years. We were both getting ready for a party and after years of being afraid to even admit to myself I was gay, I was able to finally say the words to him. He told me that he didn’t care and we could still be roommates next year. He then proceeded to say all the things you’re not supposed to say when someone comes out, like “are you attracted to me?” But in that moment him being light-hearted and accepting helped me really accept who I am. (M/19/Gay)
Story #2420
When I came out, I told my mom first. We were in the car, and I had known for about a month. It just sort of burst out of me, and while she was semi-supportive, she did do the whole “You’re still young” talk. Later that night, she told me that she had read some articles and done research to fully understand what asexuality meant. She said she was sorry if she had come off as unsupportive. I told my through an email with links to articles about asexuality. I went to my first pride parade (TacomaPride) and am now out to my grandparents, friends, and school. I even had a boyfriend for a little while and he was perfectly ok with my being asexual (we broke up because he came out as gay) . I love myself, and have found a few other asexual people in my school, and a lot of other LGBTQIA+ people. (F/15/Asexual)
Story #2419
When I came out it was to my older sister. I told her I liked this girl (I’m a girl) and she took my hand and told me she loved me and everything was still the same. I asked her if she was surprised and she responded saying it wouldn’t be fair to be surprised. After the conversation ended, I felt so vulnerable and immediately regretted telling her, but now 8 months later I’ve told two more of my friends and hope to continue to come out slowly to everyone important in my life. Every time it’s painful, but I know it’s important to keep doing it so I learn to accept and love myself as much as the people around me do. (F/16/Panromantic asexual cisfemale)
Story #2418
When I came out I was scared because my school counselor found out and she was going to tell my parents and I wasn’t out to them at the time, so I was scared. So I hurried home and I sat them down and looked at them and said, “Hey guys, I need to talk to you,” and I told them I am trans. I almost got kicked out of the house, but now they act like nothing happened and now they call me by my new pronouns. (F/15)
Story #2417
When I came out I was 9 years old. I knew I was a girl so I came out to my best friend, who supported me. I haven’t come out at abro or aceflux yet, but I really hope everybody upports me when I do! (MTF/10/Abro/aceflux)
Story #2416
When I came out at 13, it was to my large friend group. With a few kids being LGBTQIA, I knew they would likely accept me. They were super proud and happy, and my coming out helped one friend identify as demiromantic demisexual. I tried to come out to my parents, but they didn’t listen/told me not to label myself/said I was ‘too young to know’. I talked with my religious mom, and was explaining the difference between being single, and being asexual, when I randomly asked the question “Is it ok if I identify as aroace for now?” It took some work, but I think she’s ok with it! I’m really excited, because I was having to hide my identity, but I am now out of the closet, and so much happier for it. (Librafeminine (she/her)/Under 18/AroAce)
Story #2415
When I came out to my mum she asked why this happened to them. We live in a religious household and one of my siblings came out before me, which took a while to accept. She did tell me that they love all of us. I know they won’t put any efforts into understanding the lgbt community but at least I know they care.
Story #2414
When I came out to my sister and my parents last year, I was 40 years old. It was a very long time coming working out my sexuality, having previously felt very confused and like I was broken since I was a teenager. I grew up during Section 28 in the UK when sexuality was a banned topic in schools, not to mention that asexuality was just not even ‘a thing’; even when I did first hear the term I didn’t think it applied to me as I had no idea of the whole asexuality spectrum. It feels great to finally understand myself and to not feel so alone. I’m still a mixture of jumbled up emotions and feel ‘exposed’ as if I’ve released a deeply held secret to the world and I’m going to be caught out somehow but I have lots of hope that these will subside and happiness at being my authentic true self to my friends and family will take over. (F/40/Panromantic asexual)