When I came out to my family about my homosexual tendencies, I was 13 years old. I came out in a very unfortunate situation — my parents had read my diary, and at that time, I still couldn’t accept myself. They thought it was just a teenage phase, and honestly, so did I. I wasn’t able to truly accept my sexuality until I developed an anxiety disorder due to prolonged stress. Since then, I’ve started learning how to accept it — but even now, I still struggle to love girls with my full, honest feelings. That struggle has weighed on me for four years. Now, at 17, I’m finally walking the path to find the real answer to that question. (Lesbian/17)
Story #2711
When I came out it was really first to one person accidentally. We were in chorus and I was sitting next to her. She asked if I had a crush on any guys and I said, “No, not on any girls either.” She then said, “You’re bi?” And I said yes. Also our friend group is all LGBTQIA+ and ally so I came out soon after when it came up. I am only out as en-by to 1 friend though. (Nonbinary/Pansexual)
Story #2710
When I came out to my best friend I thought I’d regret it immediately. I was terrified it would be a “not in my backyard” situation. It’s scary thinking these things will change the entire way someone sees you, more than the physical but your entire sense of self and your soul, in their eyes. I wasn’t going to tell her until after her wedding. She had made me Maid of Honour. What was I gonna be now? But the wedding is over a year away and my feelings about my gender keep getting stronger, and I just couldn’t do this to myself anymore. When I told her, she hugged me as I cried, and one of the first things she said was “we’ll pick a new title for you for the wedding if you want”, which just made me cry even harder. (Transmasc/bigender/30/Bi/pan)
Story #2709
When I came out I outed myself to my best friend when we were talking about a conversation she had with mom. My mom is really pushy about knowing everything about school and my social life and I didn’t realize that not all parents are like that. I said something about my mom pestering me about boys in my grade and if I had a crush and then my friend asked me if I had a crush. I was currently crushing a girl in our grade and I told her. She didn’t make a big deal out of it and we had a very short conversation about my sexuality at a sleepover that weekend. I recently told her that I was exploring my gender indentity and that I might be non-binary and she has been using my preferred name and pronouns. I haven’t told any of my other friends or family so that will be an interesting but someone accepts me!
Story #2708
When I came out I was thirteen, having just realized I was pan after an all-girls sleepover (very classic story, I know). I told my other queer friends, who were wonderfully supportive. Then I told my (now former) best friend, who was less accepting and outed me to everyone at our summer camp. My parents took a while to come around, and I’m still not sure if my mom completely gets it, but my dad insists on buying me pride merch. Today, I’m a queer college student with cool gay and straight friends 🙂 I remember being comforted by the stories on here back then, and now I’m proud to share mine. To anyone figuring out who they are: it’s okay not to know yet, and it’s okay for your identity to change, just remember that things will get better and you will find people in the world who love you for who you are. (Female(ish)/Queer)
Story #2707
When I came out to my family, I was scared. I gave half-truths. “Would you accept me if I dated a man? How do you feel about my transfem friend?” Only after months of subtle questions did I, at 20 years old, finally admit to them: I am a woman. (F/29/Trans Fem/Pansexual/Lesbian)
Story #2706
When I came out I was fifteen, despite knowing I was queer for a very long time. I had only identified as transmasc for a year though, and the attraction I suddenly felt for boys was new as well. So it was nerve-wracking, but I had realized I couldn’t live with the dysphoria and pain I felt daily. I wanted literally nothing more than to be seen as a boy, to have a boyfriend, to be finally happy and comfortable. I told two friends first, and it didn’t go over so well, which was discouraging. But I pushed on and I’m glad I did. It was awkward and really weird at first honestly, but over time it got better. It’s been a while, and I don’t have a boyfriend just yet, but in the words of Ethel Cain, if it’s meant to be then it will be. If you’re reading these for motivation to come out, as I did for years before I actually did, this is your sign to go for it! If you know you’re in a safe situation at least, I promise you, it’s worth it. It may be weird, it may be awkward, it may even hurt for a little. But nothing can beat the happiness of living as your true self, I promise. (Male [FtM]/16/Achillean)
Story #2705
When I came out to my school it was in 4th grade. I got bullied through 5th grade, but finally when I reached 6th grade the bullying stopped. I just recently came out to my mom and she said, “That’s good to know when you’re young” 😳 (Genderfluid/12/Pansexual)
Story #2704
When I came out I was eight years old. My family wasn’t thrilled about it and took a while to use the right pronouns. They started by just calling me by my name, then using they/them pronouns, until finally they used he/him. It took years for them to comfortably use the right pronouns, and the past three or four years it’s been completely seamless. It took a while, but once they realized that it wasn’t a phase and that it was what I wanted, they became incredibly accepting. It will be hard at first, but after a while it gets sooo much easier. (M/17/FtM)
Story #2703
When I came out, it was over a text message. I made a massive letter and sent it on the bus with my (very) supportive friends. After school, I saw the reply and my mum said “ok cool”. Honestly couldn’t have wanted a better response haha. My mum even found me trans ftm friends. I now am living my best life as a guy. (M/13/FtM)