When I came out to my mom I was 16 and she said, “I know.” Honestly I felt relieved that she didn’t say anything negative. Which was better than her bf reaction who told me if I don’t change I am going to hell. My mom accepts me and supports me even if she does say unflavory words about other people in the community that I always correct her on. (F/19)
Story #2644
When I came out, my mum brushed past it and ended up outing me to a close friend of hers. My mum told me that it was just a phase and I’d get past it. This was years ago, and I am still so full of hurt and dysphoria but I’m coping. I still haven’t really told any of my friends yet because I’m scared I’ll get hurt too. (Genderfluid/15/Asexual)
Story #2643
When I came out I was 15 and having a breakdown in a cafeteria with my mother, but I wish I’d done it much earlier. I said I wanted to be a boy a lot of times when I was younger, but I got really closed-off in general at some point and wanted to avoid the topic of my gender with my family for years because I thought they would make it awkward and not understand. Nobody was surprised when I did get around to telling them, though, and now I’ve got a name and am living like me. (FtM/16)
Story #2642
When I came out, it was really tough and heartbreaking. My mom was silent during the time while my dad called me an imaginative freak because he believes that asexuality is imaginary and not real. I was sad and depressed after that and the second I moved out at 18, which was in May, I felt free. I attended my first Pride Parade three months ago. (M/18/Asexual)
Story #2641
When I came out, I was in the car with my parents. My dad was chilling and listening to his audiobook while my mom was driving the car and thinking out loud. I had known I was bisexual for a long time and hiding my true self ate at me so bad that it hurt. I told my mom and dad so fast that they turned around asked me to repeat on what I said. I cleared my throat and told my parents once again. They smiled and said that me being different was nice and that they love me no matter what. My mom teased me if I had a boyfriend and I told her about my boyfriend of 3 months. She was surprised but happy for me. (M/15/Bisexual)
Story #2640
When I came out, I came out by saying ‘I’m gay’. At first, it was meant to be silly and that of a funny joking matter but my all-too serious friend said, straight to my face, ‘Are you actually?’. This made my stomach do gymnastics and even though it was tough, I explained to my friend that I was pansexual and identified as bigender. My friend accepted me and promised me to keep it as a secret and respects and uses my preferred pronouns. (Bigender [She/Him]/13/Pansexual)
Story #2639
When I came out, I told my friend in a text message ‘I am queer 🏳️🌈’. I knew she was an ally, but it was still terrifying and she was one of the first people I had told. She was so supportive, and now I feel that our friendship has become even stronger and better. I still haven’t told my parents as I think they would just say that I am confused, but to know I have a supportive friend makes life so much easier. ❤️❤️❤️ (F/13/Queer)
Story #2638
When I came out at first I thought I was non-binary, but a few weeks ago I realized I am trans. My parents are weird about it, but my boyfriend is the most supportive partner. He asked what pronouns and name I needed and was just amazing. It’s hard learning how to navigate the world with this thing but I feel so good knowing just a little more about myself. (M/14)
Story #2637
When I came out, ‘transgender’ was a word I’d never heard of, but ‘lesbian’ was, so that’s what I went with. My sexuality went around a few roundabouts, but I eventually came out as non-binary and transmasc/trans male and found my sexuality along the way. I told my parents I was trans by leaving an unsent message in my mum’s text messages. I told my brother by saying, ‘I’m your brother’ and he said, ‘I know’. My identity might not make sense to everyone, but it works for me :)) (Non-binary/transmasc/male/18/Bi/asexual/aromantic)
Story #2636
When I came out, I was 14. I felt very uncomfortable in my own skin and I would sort of shame myself, and an example, I would pull my hair and cut it. And when I came into my parent’s bedroom, they looked at me and just sighed, I don’t know in relief or in shame, but they looked at me and nodded slightly. I took it as acceptance and now I’m living as my true self. (Transgender man [FtM]/19/Demiromantic)