When I came out to myself, I was 14, and thought that I was bisexual, but then at 16, I learnt about asexuality, and thought I was Biromantic Grayace. But then as time passed, I identified as Non-Binary at 19, and with weird feelings towards guys, I realized I was a lesbian at 20, but always felt like I didn’t fit in with the really sexual and romantic feelings of being a grayace lesbian. So now, I realized that I’m Grayaro too! So on the aroace spectrum with a lesbian orientation. I’ve come out to almost all my friends, who are supportive, but my parents are in denial. But I’ve found a beautiful accepting community along my journey of coming out and discovering my identity. (Non-binary/20/Gray aroace lesbian)
Story #2412
When I came out to my mom, I returned home from my first pride parade. I came out as bi initially to my friends one month prior, who accepted me instantly, but my mom didn’t take it well. She dismissed my coming out as “just a fad” and, upon asking what bisexuality was, kept interrupting to argue that “you’re either gay or straight.” My dad doesn’t accept my identity either and they still believe I’m faking it because it’s “trendy.” I’m just relieved my sister supports me unwaveringly and encourages me to show the world I’m not afraid. (M/27/Gay)
Story #2411
When I came out, my dad did most of the work for me. Music was playing and my dad brought up that I had something in common with a famous artist. I asked what he meant and he said that we were both pan. I’m really glad because I don’t have enough confidence to do it myself. (Girlflux?/11/Ace/pan)
Story #2410
When I came out, I was back home with my parents for the Christmas break, and we were watching a comedy. At one point I asked, “Would it make a difference if someone I loved was a guy or a girl?” The answer was a simple “of course not.” I thought there would be some sort of euphoria, or pride that I finally had the courage to come out… but it was just… calm. Calm and certainty. This moment of realisation, the knowledge that I could finally be who I truly am, was much more powerful that any other feeling I could experience. Now, armed with this calm, quiet, yet so powerful feeling that I can finally be who I am meant to be, the face looks brighter — next year, and all the years to come. (M/19/Bi)
Story #2409
When I came out for the second time to my religious mother (separated parents), I was 27 and my boyfriend was waiting for me outside to take a bus. She started crying and blame all to herself for several minutes before I left the apartment. Months later she has become very accepting and asks about my guy at times. (M/28/Gay)
Story #2408
When I came out I was 10/11 and my friends were very supportive because most of them were allies/part of lgbtq. I was always kind of jealous of my brother but I never knew why. When I was 9 I came out to my parents as lesbian. I kept switching through genders and
sexualities and my friends/parents were tired of it. That’s when I started becoming depressed. When I started middle school I was still lesbian and going by they/she/he. I felt confident, until I started questioning my gender when I met this person, Mason. He was ftm and really made a mark on me. Eventually I cut my hair and felt so much better about my gender after I got my binder and I’m happily a boy now! (FtM/11/Aroace/questioning)
Story #2407
When I came out I was in the kitchen with my mom. I had already told my two best friends. My mom said it looked like I did something, so I decided to tell her then even though I was going to tell her in the car (while she was parked, of course). I told her I was genderfluid and abrosexual, and she said she accepted me. She did say that at first people question their sexuality and mine might change. She said my grandparents won’t accept me very well and my dad would freak out but he was on a trip. I asked her if I could cut my hair really short (because my hair is below my shoulders) and she kept making sure it’s what I wanted. I also asked for a flag. She said the change from she/her to they/them would be difficult but she will try. (Genderfluid/13/Abrosexual)
Story #2406
When I came out I was at a party talking to a random friend of a friend. We were all very drunk and I kinda just blurted it out. Funny how it was the one thing the other people around me remember! (F/22/Lesbian)
Story #2405
When I came out I was 11. I was super nervous and, just out of the blue, texted my friend that I had something to tell them. She was surprised and so I pretended it was a joke. The next day I decided I couldn’t live like this anymore and said that I had not been joking. If you are under 14 and think people will say you’re too young, just say, “How are you too young to be straight?” (F/Lesbian)
Story #2404
When I came out it was at school freshman year of high school. My phone background had subtle pink, white, and orange colors (the lesbian flag colors). In the middle of class I accidentally dropped it and my friend sitting next to me turns and asks why it has lesbian colors. I go quiet because I wasn’t expecting that question. My other friend who I had already come out to started laughing hysterically and I turned to friend 1 and told her that she had one guess. She also began laughing. This was all while we were watching The Great Gatsby in class.