When I came out, I was 14. Me and my mom were shopping and I saw a beautiful jacket with a heart sewn on it. And the heart had the lesbian colors on it. My mom saw me looking at it and scoffed. She took me home and questioned me and insulted the LGBTQ community. I was so mad, I screamed at her and called her a homophobic b-word and ran into my room. My mom tries to support me, but most of the time she just calls me weird for being lesbian. My dad doesn’t care at all, though. (Agender/15/Lesbian)
Story #2478
When I came out, it was to my friend who had previously come out to me as bi, and who knew I was aroace. I casually asked her if she used trans people’s real pronouns or not, which she did. I then added on that I use my name instead of pronouns. She accepted me for who I am, which I really appreciated. I also later joined a pride group chat, and might invite my friend as well. (Trans Nonbinary Bigender [Agender and Genderfluid]/15/ Aromantic Asexual Trans Nonbinary Pangender Genderfluid Agender Bigender)
Story #2471
When I came out to my mother as nonbinary (she already knew I liked girls; this was before I figured out I was oriented aroace and liked nonbinary peeps too), she seemed okay with it and actually sort of seemed like she already suspected. My stepfather came into the same room about half way through to make a fire, and my mom just kept talking about it even though I didn’t want him to hear because he has said some questionable things about trans people in the past. He definitely heard the conversation, but didn’t comment, didn’t talk to me, and just kept sighing and rolling his eyes. He hasn’t brought it up since; in fact, he seems to call me a girl every chance he gets (practically in every sentence e.g. “You’re a smart girl…”, “Come on, girl!”, etc.), and my mom also calls me a girl and doesn’t use they/them pronouns with me. I’m still figuring out whether I should bring it up with them, come out to my stepfather properly, or if I wasn’t explicit enough. (Nonbinary-Trans and Agenspec Polygender/11/Omniaspec Enbitrix Oriented Aroace)
Story #2466
When I came out, it was to a close friend. She had just come out to me as bisexual a week or so earlier, and I had already told them about being aroace, so I knew she was part of the community. She texted me to tell me she was actually a lesbian, and I responded cool, then I asked them what they would do about non binary pronouns. She said she would use their real pronouns, and asked, ‘hey, aren’t you nb too? I’m actually a demigirl.’ Her support also helped me tell another one of my friends. Hopefully you all can find your people who will support you. (NONBINARY/I HAVE NO GENDER ONLY RAGE/14/Aromantic Asexual Agender Nonbinary Trans [FtNB])
Story #2438
When I came out, my friends accepted me and actually used my real pronouns/corrected themselves midway! My family doesn’t know yet, and it hurts a little every time they misgender me, use she/her pronouns, etc., but I know I’ll get through it! To people who are going through similar experiences — hang on there! One day you’ll find the people who will accept you for who you are. (Agender/AroAce)
Story #2401
When I came out I was about 13. I told my friends first, who were all really accepting, given some of them were LGBTQ+ as well, and my sister had known for a while as well, and she was lesbian. I came out to my parents a while later about my sexuality, by baking a cake – they were fine with it too, even though they don’t know about me being agender yet. For anyone who’s having a hard time or isn’t accepted, keep going!! One day you’ll find someone, either a friend or a partner, who loves you just the way you are. (Agender/Demipanromantic Graysexual)
Story #2345
When I came out to my friends as bisexual (I’m not anymore), it was in the major wave of Covid-19, so I had to do most of it over email, which made it really hard for me to tell anyone in person. Now I talk to my close friends (one is bisexual, the other is genderfluid/aro-ace) freely about my sexuality and gender and feel much more comfortable in my skin. Recently I have been going through a sort of gender crisis and use they/them pronouns, and my friends have been amazing, but I’m terrified to tell my parents. I think they’re catching on, but I’m not ready to tell them yet, regardless of how much I hate being misgendered by them. (Agender/13/Lesbian)
Story #2302
When I first came out to my best friend it was pretty weird. I told her about sexual and romantic attractions and gender (I don’t know why then) and told her about my identity. She was a little confused and we played with some toys. Last week she gave me an invitation for her birthday and she said she made it in the colours of the non binary flag on purpose! I didn’t told her about my preferred name and pronouns (there isn’t something like “they/them” in my country so it’s pretty hard) though. But today I told a girl in my swim team my preferred name and pronouns ( I just use Q/Q’s); she was the first ever to ask me my pronouns! I was sooo happy! (NB/agender/12/Questioning)
Story #2256
When I came out to my friend she supported me :)) I know I should probably write more, but I love my friend a lot and I’m just glad she supports me (Genderqueer/agender/15/Aroace biromantic)
Story #2254
When I came out I realized how misunderstood enbies are. I had to explain almost every aspect of my gender identity and sexuality to my parents and friends, and reassure them that we actually exist. There are just so few of us, apparently, that not even close to everyone knows the basics of our gender (or anti-gender) self-concepts. Stay strong, and don’t let “normal society” get to you. Just be yourself, be modest, and be kind. (Non-binary agender/15/Pansexual)