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 #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 #2442
When I came out the first time, I was convinced I was bi. Later, after a LOT of soul-searching, I realized that my definition of “sexual attraction” was completely different from the standard. Apparently, people don’t just find others aesthetically appealing, they also feel an urge to have sex with them? My world was turned upside-down, but I started feeling like the word “asexual” really resonated with my experiences. Coming out for the second time has been great, and to my surprise, everyone was extremely supportive. A lot of questions typically follow when aces come out, but it’s also kinda fun to explain it to people 🙂 (M/23/Asexual Gray-Biromantic)
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 #2426
When I came out, it was a roller-coaster year and a half, because my identity changed several times, first Pansexual and Nonbinary, then Bigender and Pansexual, then Bigender and Panromantic-Asexual. However, not just my gender and sexuality was a roller-coaster; my pronouns were too. I went from They/Them to He/They, then back to They/Them. Luckily my name journey was easy, I just chose a neutral version of my birth name. Anyways, to all of you out there questioning yourselves, the process is a journey, but it is worth it in the end. (Bigender/19/Panromantic-Asexual)
Story #2420
When I came out, I told my mom first. We were in the car, and I had known for about a month. It just sort of burst out of me, and while she was semi-supportive, she did do the whole “You’re still young” talk. Later that night, she told me that she had read some articles and done research to fully understand what asexuality meant. She said she was sorry if she had come off as unsupportive. I told my through an email with links to articles about asexuality. I went to my first pride parade (TacomaPride) and am now out to my grandparents, friends, and school. I even had a boyfriend for a little while and he was perfectly ok with my being asexual (we broke up because he came out as gay) . I love myself, and have found a few other asexual people in my school, and a lot of other LGBTQIA+ people. (F/15/Asexual)
Story #2419
When I came out it was to my older sister. I told her I liked this girl (I’m a girl) and she took my hand and told me she loved me and everything was still the same. I asked her if she was surprised and she responded saying it wouldn’t be fair to be surprised. After the conversation ended, I felt so vulnerable and immediately regretted telling her, but now 8 months later I’ve told two more of my friends and hope to continue to come out slowly to everyone important in my life. Every time it’s painful, but I know it’s important to keep doing it so I learn to accept and love myself as much as the people around me do. (F/16/Panromantic asexual cisfemale)