When I came out, I did it in a letter, writing it online and then showing it to my parents from my computer. The first thing they both said was that they knew, and they had read my messages to my friends — I had come out to my friends gradually and explained it fully to them that day. It was a bit of a stressful process because my parents sat me down and asked me every question they could (my anxiety made me really stressed out so I was crying), and it took a while for them to adjust. My parents say they try with pronouns, but they also say that “my generation labels ourselves too much and they don’t have to use my preferred pronouns because of that”. They’re super supportive of other people but have a hard time adjusting to me (even three years later). However, my friends are amazingly supportive and ask me my pronouns each day – for other genderfluid kids: you are loved and valid and supported and should find your people who love you. (Genderfluid/15/Panromantic/asexual)
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 #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 #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 #2631
When I came out to my new school as a lad, they were fine with it and they even offered me if i can change my name on the school’s system and I can’t believe it! It just feels so natural to be called by my chosen name on the roll and peers calling me by it 🙂 (Trans/14/Asexual)
Story #2627
When I first came out I had already created many scenarios of how I could do it. But my mother and father noticed that I had been overwhelmed for some months (I was a sixth grader). I told them I didn’t really understand if I could really label my gender identity because it kept unstable. But they were quite accepting. As for sexuality I only came out at 17. I had hinted to them many times before through jokes and would make it quite obvious for my sister so she could also help me. The Aroace part wasn’t as good as I would like to be but with time they stopped. I had told to my closest friends as they were some type of gay magnet; as a result my friends were usually queer weirdos so it turned out better. (Genderfluid/23/Aroace)
Story #2613
When I came out as genderfluid my parent said it was just a phrase and I was a tomboy and they deadname me and still call me a girl and use she/her pronouns, so I am forced to live a gender I am not. But I’m lucky as my friend is trans and one is a demi girl so they support me but people still make fun of my name. So will I ever be myself in front of them? (Genderfluid/Lithromantic/poly/aromantic/asexual)
Story #2602
When I came out… I always thought I was gay but something else was bugging me. Everyone knew I was gay and just paid it no mind. After hours of research, I found a sexuality I could nestle onto for a while: aroace. I don’t know how to come out to people or even my Christian parents. Wish someone could help. I have a gay gang but I don’t know what to do. I build relationships on mutual love (such as trust, love and respect) and whatnot. I prefer men, but there’s always a lot more to research. (Demiboy/13/Aroace)
Story #2585
When I came out I was 12 and I told my older sister and was extremely nervous. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react but was pretty sure she would be supportive. I texted her a bi coming out meme and told her I’m bi. She was super shocked and came into my room and hugged me, and told me she was proud of me for having the courage to tell her. She agreed to not tell our parents, at least not yet. I texted my friend (who already knew and supports me) and she was also very excited for me. It made me so happy and I hope you all have supportive friends and family too. Good luck to all those who are thinking of coming out! (F/13/Bi/ace?)
Story #2580
When I came out as aroace it was completely unintentional. A lot of my friends and I were talking during break about one of my friends’ unhealthy obsession with the moon and another one of my friends explained it as such: “If the moon was a girl, he’d marry her.” To which I replied, “Too bad, most moongoddesses are aroace.” (I had that one quote from OSP stuck in my head.) When somebody else asked what aroace was, the second friend explained it really quickly with ending: “So, basically me.” I was all, “You’re aroace?! I’m aroace!” And the friend with the moon obsession was all like, “I’m just ace 🙂 ” It was the greatest day of my life. So that’s how I came out to all of my school friends (and some of them came out with me). (F/17/Aroace)