When I came out as a lesbian on social media I got almost no reaction from anyone. My sister commented neutrally on it, but that was all. I recently came out as enby on social media and again no one has lifted an eyebrow. It feels great to be myself. I plan on getting a binder soon. (Enby/16/Gay)
Story #2233
When I came out it was a little sudden; the first time I understood the term pan while trying to figure myself out I felt immediately like that was me. Then one day after school some of my friends were asking about whether I had a crush and somehow the conversation went from me protesting embarrassedly that “it’s complicated” to me saying “So I’m pan” as we got on the bus. My friends were gay and trans; and lesbian; so they both were really accepting. It was relieving to finally let somebody know how I felt. I’ve told my mum that “I could see myself with a girlfriend or boyfriend” (in tears) but she said she understood, but she and my dad were both pretty confident I’d “settle down and figure it out” so I don’t think she knows that pan is actually a real thing. I’ll tell her one day soon and explain it fully but right now I think I’ll let her think about it a while longer… (F/15/Pan)
Story #2232
When I came out it was “census day.” I filled out my census on my household account, not realising that when my parents logged in to do theirs, they’d be able to see all of my answers. To cut a long story short, I’m looking for a new house, and I’m going to hell too apparently. (F/18/Pansexual)
[Editor’s note: UK folks, you can go to https://census.gov.uk and click “Need to answer separately from your household?” and they’ll send you an anonymous access code so you can fill in your own information and overwrite whatever your official household form says.]
Story #2231
When I came out as bisexual (biromantic asexual, to be specific) to my best friend in middle school, she immediately grimaced and then later left my house crying; she proceeded to block me on all social media and avoided me entirely. It hurt and made it hard for me to continue to explore my identity, but I have tried out and landed on other labels since then (trans, gray-asexual, and panromantic), and, fortunately, coming out to loved ones in the future has (mostly) gone far, far better. I now have a close group of friends that are all queer, a nonbinary partner that I love deeply and that deeply loves me, and a family that supports me completely even if they don’t always understand. It can get better; there are people out there that will love you for your whole self, so find them, or let them find you. Love and acceptance is possible, finding those like you is inevitable, and feeling truly cherished is beautiful. (M/21/Transgender/queer)
Story #2230
When I came out I started looking up coming out stories. This was at the beginning of the year and I realized that I like both women and guys and I find some guys very attractive and wanted to date a guy and be with one and experience all the things that being with a guy entails. I started telling some close friends that I recently realized I’m bisexual and they couldn’t be more accepting of me, and I told them I was gonna tell my parents but I was freaked out to tell them. They told me that they knew my parents would be accepting of this, but I was still terrified to tell them, so I wrote them a letter explaining how I realized I was bisexual and it’s not a phase or something I can change. They both read it and accept me. I’ve told a lot of my cousins and friends and they all accept me. I haven’t been happier accepting I’m bisexual. (M/32/Bisexual)
Story #2229
When I came out I was in math class. I had gone to turn something in, so I was out of my seat, when I came back my best friend (who is bi) was saying how she sits next to two straight people. I said, “I’m offended,” and then sat down. The person sitting next to me said, “Wait, why?” I commented, “Because I’m not.” (F/13/Questioning)
Story #2228
When I came out it was a few months ago now and I left home due to it and got hated on and misgendered, but now a few months later I got my first binder and I’m doing better. I just had to give everyone a bit of time to adjust. In a week I should be getting my name and pronouns changed at school, yay! 🙂 (He/they/14/FtM)
Story #2227
When I came out to my parents they accepted me, but it’s hard to tell now because they won’t use my correct pronouns. My mom even told me that it will take her time because she always knew me as her daughter. I told her I understood. That was at Thanksgiving of last year, but now both of my parents still misgender me. It hurts like hell. I don’t know how to tell them that whenever they use she/her I die a little inside each day, my depression and dysphoria gets worse and worse, and I think my parents don’t understand I am trying to be strong but it just hurts so much. (FtM/36/Trans man/gay)
Story #2226
When I came out to my best friend it was right after he hit on me and said he liked me. I was so scared but then he told me he was bi. Now I have a beautiful trans girlfriend and my friend has a boyfriend! (F/12/Pan)
Story #2225
When I came out as trans/non-binary my dad forced me to explain to my whole family (mother, sister, him) and they didn’t quite react how I had hoped. They didn’t really believe me and thought that I was being influenced by my friends and the internet, and that hurt a lot. But it’s been a couple years and things are really improving for me! (Non-binary/Bisexual)