When I came out, I was barely 6 years old. I’m being serious! I had been wearing boy clothes, and calling myself a boy, and Spencer. Finally, I went up to my mom and told her that I was a boy. She laughed me off. It took another two years before I tried again. I had still worn boy clothes and called myself Spencer, and she still laughed me off. My friends, however, hadn’t, and neither had my teachers. It took me 3 more years before my mom finally got sick of it. I live with my dad now. I’ve been on hormone therapy for a year, and next year I’m supposed to get top surgery. I’m sad it didn’t work out with my mom, and honestly, kinda depressed that I haven’t seen her for 6 years, but I’ll live. I’m just happy I get to be who I’ve always been: a boy. (M/17/FtM)
Story #2123
When I came out I tried to do so subtly. I did TikToks (cosplay mostly), watched drag races, tried on makeup even when it wasn’t Halloween. And then, one day after my grandma left, I put on as much as I could, wore my mother’s old dress, and put on some jewelry. I went to school like this. At first, everybody I passed whispered and laughed. Finally, at the end of the day, one of my teachers came up to me and hugged me. They told me they were gay too. I smiled. Ever since that day I have been living with my teacher since 9th grade. My grandma kicked me out, but many other people supported me. (M/17/Gay/drag queen)
Story #2122
When I came out it was midnight and I walked into my mum’s room, woke her up, whispered in her ear “I am a bisexual” and went back to bed 😂 (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #2121
When I came out I first told my best friend that I was questioning. I’ve had past relationships with girls but was never truly happy. I then told a friend who came out to me that I was almost sure I was gay. I plan to tell my mom because I know she will be very supportive of me. (M/12/Gay)
Story #2120
When I came out, it was May, I think. One of my friends recently told me she was bisexual and that made me think about my own sexuality. I knew I was bi for about 2 years and I had not shared this with anyone yet. Day after day, I encouraged myself to tell my parents. One day, while we were having lunch, I asked my parents if it mattered to them what my sexuality was. My dad said he was okay with anything as long as I was happy, but my mom said it would be kinda confusing if I liked more than 1 gender. A few minutes later, I told them I was bi. They both seemed accepting, luckily. My mom kept on talking about grandchildren, but she accepted me 🙂 (F/14/Bisexual)
Story #2119
When I came out to my friends I felt kinda scared. I had already come out to my (now) girlfriend as bi and she came out to me as well as bi (I am now a lesbian). Most of my friends also are LGBTQ+ and or allies. We all basically became “super LGBTQ+” and met quite a few more queer friends. We now consist of a lesbian (me), 4 bisexuals, 3 trans folk, a pansexual, and about 10 allies. I feel very accepted and am very happy that we are all friends. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2118
When I came out, it was to my mom. We were having a late-night heart-to-heart, and I kept thinking that there wasn’t going to be a better time than this. When I told her, I had her guess, and she guessed that it had something to do with me not knowing whether I liked guys or girls. I came out, and then started crying. I was so relieved, because I hated lying. She was super supportive, although she did say it might be a phase. Good luck, all! (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2117
When I came out I was really scared. I have homophobic parents — well, mom — and I had already come out to some of my friends. My brother was my only family member who knew and he helped me through tough times of figuring myself out. I decided to let my mom know I was pansexual and asexual because she always insulted the LGBTQIA+ and I was getting hurt a lot but nothing changed once I came out to her. Instead she said stuff like I’m gross, I’m a sin, it’s just a dumb phase, stuff like that hurt a lot. I don’t have many friends so I would try to just move on with myself and be happy with who I am even though if I really am a disappointment but it’s alright. I’m happy being me and expressing what and who I love. I mean, I can’t help it. (F/15/PanAce)
Story #2116
When I came out it was because I was bi. I told my mom, my counselor, and my best friend, then some of my other friends. Next year though I started questioning my gender and I thought I was a demigirl, so I told people that. But calling myself demigirl didn’t feel right either, so I was floating in the area of “uh I have no idea what the heck I am” so I eventually settled on nonbinary. I’ve told my mom and I’m planning on coming out in the other areas of my life. (NB/Bi)
Story #2115
When I came out to my mum I was 13 and told her I had a girlfriend. Her reaction was nothing and just said “okay” and left. Two years later I’m single, non-binary, and a lesbian and my mum doesn’t like that I want to change my name and don’t want a gender. My auntie on the other hand is a fellow lesbian and she supports me. My father, well, I have no idea what he thinks. (Non-binary/14)