When I came out I was 35, and I came out first to my husband, with whom I had been for 18 years. I had fallen in love with a woman and my true identity could no longer be kept hidden. He was (he is…) the most wonderful human being. He has accepted me and freed me. It’s not easy to lose a relationship, a love, and a friendship as long and profound as ours, but I am gaining my truth. To all the adults out there in situations similar to mine… it’s never too late. Truth does set us free, even if it brings pain. But pain goes with time, freedom remains. (F/35/Bisexual)
Story #1975
When I first came out, it was to my friend group. They are very supportive (all either ally or LGBTQ+), and now me and my closest friends have a funny greeting for each other! Working on telling family. Hopefully around Christmas!!! (Pan)
Story #1974
When I came out I started by coming out to my best friend. It was over messages and I was terrified for the next message. To my surprise she said she already suspected and still supported me no matter what. Over time I’ve come out to more and more of my friends with most of them supporting me. I just hope the same will happen with my parents. (F/14/Bisexual/pansexual)
Story #1973
When I came out 6 months ago as gay to my parents, I’d made a plan to tell them that I was gay for 7 months, so in this year’s summer holidays I finally came out. It was pretty hard because my mother was in shock but my father was really accepting. After at least 5 conversations with them, they are finally accepting me the way I am, but my mom asked me not to tell everyone else. She doesn’t know that they were the last I’m coming out to. I came out to my friend and class 8 months ago and they were so lovely; everyone accepted and supports me the way I am. (M/16/Gay)
Story #1972
When I came out it was to my mom. We were sitting in the car and I was thinking of just telling my mom I was lesbian until my best friend texted me and said if I came out that she would have my back one thousand percent so I said f**ck it and I told my mom. I was sooooo scared though although I felt a relief of weight and pressure off my shoulders of holding that in for months. After I told her she just sat there in silence and just asked when and why I felt this way, and I told her I knew I was lesbian around the age of 13 and I found out when I was playing the game bottle spin at a party and I had to kiss a girl although I never was really that in to boys, nor was I boy crazy like my other friends were. I still have to come out to my dad and the rest of my family and friends although I will eventually. (F/Lesbian)
Story #1971
When I came out to my aunt, it was after dinner at Thanksgiving. I followed her out to her car and I told her, “I need to tell you something.” She said, “Ok, what is it?” I said that I was gay, but she didn’t hear me, so she asked me to repeat it. After that I said, “I’m gay!” then burst into tears. She told me that she accepted me and still saw me as family, which I was glad to hear. That Christmas, she gave me a hairband lollipop that was rainbow colored. I am so thankful to have a family member who accepts me for who I am after my parents rejected my identity. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #1970
When I came out my friends were grilling me about who I had a crush on. One of my friends asked if they were male and I said no. They didn’t really care and I’m glad I can talk about my crush around them now. (F/14/Bi)
Story #1969
When I came out as transgender, my mother was so accepting. My dad isn’t so much, but my mum and I are moving out soon anyway, so it’ll be great; it already is. I was so so scared of saying it, so I wrote it on a letter and drew a tiny 🏳️🌈 to show MY
GAYNESS! 😂 (F/17/Lesbian)
Story #1968
When I came out, I was 12 when I told my friends that I was trans, and they said, “Oh that’s cool” but still always called me a girl and used my birth name. I told my parents on the 4th November 2018 and they kicked me out of the house. I’m back home now though, and my mom’s coming around, although my step-dad thinks it’s a massive joke (he thinks the same about my anxiety and depression). I suffer with really bad dysphoria but I haven’t self-harmed since 12th October and I’m very proud of myself. I now get called my preferred name and pronouns at school but my peers are transphobic and bully me. (Male [FtM]/13/Heterosexual)
Story #1967
When I came out I walked up to my parents and was like, “I’m a girl.” They weren’t the most supportive (read: super transphobic), but my cousins and sister made up for it by using my preferred pronouns. As soon as I told them, it felt like a weight that had been on my chest after I had come out to my parents had been lifted off, and I hope to be openly transgender soon. (F/12/Lesbian)