When I came out to my (non-binary and lesbian) best friend as an asexual, they accepted me immediately and told me that they already knew it for a long time but they didn’t want to force me to come out. Instead, when I told my (straight) friend that I am asexual she was confused and although she said that she supports me she didn’t understand what it means to be asexual and also told me that it could only be a phase and that it is too early to say. (F/15/Asexual/aromantic)
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 #2238
When I came out to my best friend as aroace, she just shrugged and asked me a few questions to understand it better, but otherwise didn’t make it such a big deal. She’s awesome, by the way. On the other hand, when I came out to my parents, they said that it was “just a phase” and that I shouldn’t say that until I know for sure because I’ll find the right person someday, so that made me angry. Otherwise though, my coming-out experience was good. (F/14/Aro/ace)
Story #2176
When I came out, I was already out to most of my school friends as gay, but then I started to question my gender and figured out I was agender. The first few people I came out to were accepting, but they all made a huge deal out of it (it’s just me??? call me by my name and pronouns as you would do anyone else???), and eventually, rumours started floating around the school as they had when I had come out to these same people as gay. This made me quite anxious as I felt that everyone knew my deepest secret. Later when I came out to my class, people kept deadnaming and mispronouning me, saying, ‘Same thing’ or ‘You know what I meant’. Later by the people in my class I got bullied (still am being bullied) and called an ‘it.’ And finally, was outed to a bunch of my teachers: When they called the roll and said my deadname (though I appreciate people learning my real name, it was super annoying) people in my class yelled out (some quite mockingly :((() ‘Actually, it’s *real name.*’ And as I’m not currently out to my mum, this was quite distressing as some of the teachers are friends with and talk with my mum often. 🙁 (Agender/non-binary/13/Aromantic/pansexual/demisexual)
Story #2172
When I came out I felt awkward. I had previously come out as asexual, only to realize I’m an aromantic lesbian. My mum guessed it, but I still feel like she doesn’t accept me. (F/14)
Story #2105
When I came out as aroace I first came out to my classmate/friend. I told her I thought I was aroace, but she laughed and made fun of me, saying I was way too young to know and just confused. The next day I came out to my mum that night after she asked me if I was gay, and I told her no. I told her that I just didn’t like anybody and that that would probably be forever like that. She was first off sad because she thought that I would be unhappy that way. I told her that I’m happy with friends and family and that if I would be in a relationship, it would make me unhappy. She accepted it, so I told her that I was probably aroace. She accepted that too. (Genderfluid/13/Aroace)
Story #2030
When I came out as aromantic my mom said that it was just a phase and that I would find “the one.” My friends are supportive, though, which is awesome. (Genderfluid/aroace)
Story #2019
When I came out to my parents for the first time, as asexual, I was 14. They’re very cishet-normative, but they’ve been trying to be very supportive. Tonight, I put a letter on their bed saying I am nonbinary. I don’t know if they’ve read it yet. Tomorrow, I’m
going to come out to my younger brother. I’m scared, but I’m also tired of pretending to be something I’m not. I hope they respond well. (Nonbinary/16/Aroace, agender)
Story #1801
When I came out I was 14. I have a close friend-group that are all queer and really open-minded, so it was easy to tell them. However, my family was another story. I had a whole plan on how to come out, but in the end it wasn’t necessary, because my mother already knew, so I kind of just blurted everything out. My mom is accepting and supports me, but my sister and step-dad are very conservative, but I know they’ll come around. (Trans[FtM]/15/Asexual [aromantic])
Story #1751
When I came out, I told my mom one late night and she said that she understood, but after a week of not referring to me by any name at all she’s back at it again to using my dead one. (Non-binary/16/Aroace)