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 #2470
When I came out, it was back in January. I have actually documented my story not too long ago, but that was before I came out to my dad and sister. Me and family were going to a pride parade (my first one!!) and before we left, I sat my dad down, showed him my flag, and told him I was aroace. He said that he kinda knew already because of my disinterest in romance. He said he obviously still loved me and didn’t say anything that I was too young because he knows that I know best. I was so happy! When I went to the parade, my sister noticed it but didn’t ask about it. Just remember you’re valid! And to my ace-spec and aro-spec fam: You are totally part of the community! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! (F/13/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 #2459
When I came out, I first came out to my brother. At the time, both of us were living as girls. I built a little house in minecraft with my pride flag as the color scheme, and he did the same. We later talked about it on a walk, and then came out to our other family together. (Masc enby/15/Aroace/polyam)
Story #2458
When I came out it was… different. I have a friend who introduced me to the LGBTQ+ community and helped me try and figure myself out a bit. I shuffled through several things before I found something that fit, and it was rather simple after that. I easily came out to online friends and friends who were LGBTQ+ themselves. My parents were a different story, being strongly Christian, I was worried they may be homophobic or something along those lines. They definitely suspected something, and my mom asked me if I was a lesbian once or twice. They found a Aroace flag on one of my devices and I had to explain. They were really chill, though I haven’t come out to them as Genderfae yet, I feel like it’ll go well when the time comes. To quote my mother’s reaction “It’s fine not to like anyone, why would we care about that anyways?” I would also like to say I am a proud Christian as well, and not all Christians are automatically homophobic 😀 (Genderfae/14/Aroace)
Story #2449
When I came out, it was first to one of my closest friends, in January, and I was a stuttering mess; very embarrassing. She just smiled, and we continued with our day (I don’t believe she understood what I said since I was mumbling and stuttering). I came out properly to her last month. I came out to most of my friends and they’ve all been accepting since pretty much all my friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and it made me really happy. I came out to my mom and she is supporting, but doesn’t understand too well. I might come out to my sister and dad during pride month, but who knows. (F/13/Aroace [aromantic greysexual])
Story #2446
When I came out as aroace, it was to a friend who is also ace. Just for fun, we were playing the asexuality quiz on Wiki How and both got ace (we both already knew we were ace). We’ve known each other for 6 years, and we could understand each other without saying anything, which is really nice. I also told a few other friends that I am ace, and they were really nice about it, and not awkward like I had feared. I haven’t come out about being a demigirl yet, and I haven’t come out at all to my parents, even though they’re really supportive. I did put the flags that represent me on a bracelet; I figure that if someone knows enough about LGBTQIA+ and cares enough to ask, they’re worth giving a brief explanation. (Demigirl/13/Aroace)
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 #2416
When I came out at 13, it was to my large friend group. With a few kids being LGBTQIA, I knew they would likely accept me. They were super proud and happy, and my coming out helped one friend identify as demiromantic demisexual. I tried to come out to my parents, but they didn’t listen/told me not to label myself/said I was ‘too young to know’. I talked with my religious mom, and was explaining the difference between being single, and being asexual, when I randomly asked the question “Is it ok if I identify as aroace for now?” It took some work, but I think she’s ok with it! I’m really excited, because I was having to hide my identity, but I am now out of the closet, and so much happier for it. (Librafeminine (she/her)/Under 18/AroAce)
Story #2408
When I came out I was 10/11 and my friends were very supportive because most of them were allies/part of lgbtq. I was always kind of jealous of my brother but I never knew why. When I was 9 I came out to my parents as lesbian. I kept switching through genders and
sexualities and my friends/parents were tired of it. That’s when I started becoming depressed. When I started middle school I was still lesbian and going by they/she/he. I felt confident, until I started questioning my gender when I met this person, Mason. He was ftm and really made a mark on me. Eventually I cut my hair and felt so much better about my gender after I got my binder and I’m happily a boy now! (FtM/11/Aroace/questioning)