When I came out sophomore year of high school, it wasn’t something I planned for, but rather something my parents found out about on their own by way of a love letter. As strong Christians, they were extremely offended, warning me that I would be sent to Hell for my feelings and threatening to send me to conversion camp, have meetings with church leaders and attend therapy to fix my “illness”. Due to everything surrounding this, I ultimately made the choice to throw myself back into a closeted lifestyle for the remainder of my time spent living at home. However, as I still maintain contact with the same girl with which this all began, I plan to move out for college and reunite with her. My only worry now is rehashing the sexuality conversation with my parents and the idea of them disowning me because of who I choose to be with… (F/18/Demiromantic bisexual)
Story #1902
When I came out I was in the car with my dad. He asked me why I was so down all the time. I replied that I felt that I was born in the wrong body. He said he was supportive at first but turned out to be horribly transphobic. My mom is the only supportive family member (that knows, anyway). Now in school I’m starting to use my preferred name more and it has helped a lot. (Trans FtM/15/Pan)
Story #1901
When I came out for the first time, I was at a sleepover with two of my best friends. They had gotten in a fight for some reason I can’t remember, and one of them, we’ll call her E, was sobbing next to me while the other one, who we’ll call A, went outside. I don’t remember all the details since its been over a year now, but we started talking about our personal issues and I ended up blurting out that I was gay. Luckily she’s very accepting and she even told me she was bi too! Like I said, it’s been over a year now and I’ve came out to all of my close friends personally, and posted a coming out post on Instagram to come out to other people that I don’t talk to that much 🙂 (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #1900
When I came out, I was lucky enough to be supported by almost everyone. One of my best friends and I were figuring out our sexualities at the same time, around our last year of high school, and when she came out to me as bi, it gave me the final push to realise I was bi too. I told my sister and friends first, then my parents a couple of months later, when the new year came around. I got into college already comfortable with my identity, met an amazing group of friends who are mostly LGBTQA+, and finally, three years ago, I posted a long statement to my Facebook profile on Pride Day, which was an indirect way to come out to my distant relatives and acquaintances. I think coming out is a process that never really ends, as you meet new people and get into new environments throughout your life, but my experiences have been very positive so far, and I know the allies I have met along the way will help make it even easier every time I have to do it again in the future. (F/21/Bi demiromantic)
Story #1899
When I came out my mom had a bad reaction so I ran away. I became extremely paranoid and had heightened anxiety. (I still do almost a year later.) My dad was EXTREMELY accepting and I found the friends who were truly going to stick by me. (Genderfluid/15/Panromantic)
Story #1898
Cuando sali con mis familiares y amigos fue muy buena ya que antes no podĂa, por el miedo que se sentĂa por enfrentarme a ellos para poder decirles la verdad y las reacciones fueron muy buenas. (M/23/Gay)
[“When I came out to my family and friends, it was very good, because before I couldn’t for the fear that I felt about facing them, to be able to tell them the truth, and their reactions were very good.”]
Story #1897
When I came out to my mom I was in the car with her and she was talking about my sister being bi and I broke and came out as pansexual and she said ok. I started sobbing telling her how hard that was, it terrified me so much, then she accepts me; I’m so happy. (14)
Story #1896
When I came out it was because my mom asked about what made me decide to get my hair cut the way it is. I told her the truth because I didn’t wanna keep it in anymore. I had talked to my favorite teacher (rossy ik ur reading this lmao) earlier that week & he helped me realize who I was. But anyways, my mom didn’t say anything against it but idk if she would be considered accepting. She basically just said things that made it seem like I was confused & wanted attention & that she has had times where she thought a girl was attractive & that just because I had bad experiences with guys didn’t mean I was a lesbian. She told me that she didn’t care who I love & if I truly was a lesbian then she’d accept it. I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. (F/17/Lesbian/Gay)
Story #1895
When I came out it was with two friends. One of them even came out as pan! I felt a huge weight lifted off my chest. I also have to get something off my chest. I think I’m trans. I could never tell my parents this. It feels so good to come out a third time with people like me! So does this count as coming out with all of you? (FTM?/13/Bi/gay?)
Story #1894
When I came out, I was swimming in a pool with my sister and she was talking about how I suck at naming things. She said, “You should just let your wife… OR husband [with delay] name kids.” I then corrected her. The next day I hung a sign on my door saying “im gay” in rainbow colors. Then pretended to sleep. (M/13/Gay)