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)
Story #2391
When I came out I was 11 and my dad had just found out about how I was self-harming. He was bringing me a towel after my shower and accidentally saw everything. I broke down, and he asked me why I was doing this. At the time, I was out as non-binary, but I told him I was a boy. My dad was very accepting, which made sense. I wasn’t scared to come out to my mom, since she’s a lesbian. How that went was, “Mom, I’m transgender,” and “Okay, what does that mean for you?” Then I flip-flopped between omnisexual, bisexual, and gay/mlm until eventually settling on gay. I’m out to everyone and am happier than ever. (M/FtM/14/Gay/mlm)
Story #2390
When I came out I was 13 years old. I had told my parents, and my dad just ignored it but my mom started yelling and asking questions that were none of her business and made me extremely uncomfortable (at the time I came out as bisexual). I’ve never thought about myself as a girl; I just saw me as I was, and it wasn’t until puberty I realized I wasn’t a girl. I didn’t like anything; my long hair was a bother and seemingly the only thing people liked about me. I just disliked the whole female anatomy and puberty. I really am a boy. Up until this day I still haven’t told my Christian parents after the last time, and I’m still bothered by it, because my younger sister came out as lesbian two years later and my parents were fine with it. Now only my friends call me by my name and correct pronouns and they help me a lot, so I’m grateful for that. I hope that one day I’ll be exactly how I see myself. (Male [FtM]/16/Pansexual)