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 #2414
When I came out to my sister and my parents last year, I was 40 years old. It was a very long time coming working out my sexuality, having previously felt very confused and like I was broken since I was a teenager. I grew up during Section 28 in the UK when sexuality was a banned topic in schools, not to mention that asexuality was just not even ‘a thing’; even when I did first hear the term I didn’t think it applied to me as I had no idea of the whole asexuality spectrum. It feels great to finally understand myself and to not feel so alone. I’m still a mixture of jumbled up emotions and feel ‘exposed’ as if I’ve released a deeply held secret to the world and I’m going to be caught out somehow but I have lots of hope that these will subside and happiness at being my authentic true self to my friends and family will take over. (F/40/Panromantic asexual)
Story #2411
When I came out, my dad did most of the work for me. Music was playing and my dad brought up that I had something in common with a famous artist. I asked what he meant and he said that we were both pan. I’m really glad because I don’t have enough confidence to do it myself. (Girlflux?/11/Ace/pan)
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)
Story #2402
When I was very young I had a queer supporting friend group, so I got to experiment with my sexual identity when I was young. I have always thought I felt different from most people when it comes to sexual attraction. What amazed me was that I have been able to notice how I felt when since I was so young. I didn’t do a big coming out; I told my friends, and if people ask I let them. I even got around to mention it to my parents that I’m ace. I haven’t run into any trouble yet, but every day my sexuality gets even more confirmed. And for anyone reading, you’re never too young to know what you want. Never let anyone take away your power to be you. (F/15/Asexual)
Story #2392
When I came out, I came out to my old friend who had moved away over text, when I was eleven. I came out to her only as ace not les but I want to. I still have not come out to my parents even though that was many years ago. I also might come out to some of my other friends on national coming out day, which is not too far away. (F/Ace/lesbian)
Story #2387
When I came out I was 13. My friend and I were playing truth or dare and she asked me if I could date anyone in our school who would it be? I answered by telling her that I was Asexual Grey Panromantic. She was cool with it and just asked me what that is. After I told her she proceeded to tell me about her lesbian friend, so I don’t think she completely understood. I haven’t told anyone else yet. I am also yet to come out as genderfluid. I think my family will take it well because I have a gay uncle and a trans uncle too. (Genderfluid/13/Asexual grey panromantic)
Story #2386
When I came out my friends were joking around, guessing who they thought would be a top/bottom. They got around to guessing me and I said, “How about neither?” and that was how I came out as ace 🙂
Story #2384
When I came out to my friends they all asked what it meant, and after I explained what aro/ace is and what it means, they didn’t make a big deal about it, they just shrugged their shoulders and said “okay”. I don’t know why but that felt like the best outcome I could’ve gotten: no denial, no overflowing support. It felt absolutely wonderful when it happened, because that’s how I thought of it in my head. Jump out of your shell if you are under 14, because as long as you aren’t in the popular group, it will work out fine. (M/13/Ace)
Story #2383
When I came out I thought I was bisexual, but I was wrong. Later I found out I was non-binary after being called girl too much; I tried he/him pronouns, but didn’t like them, so I used they/them and loved it. After I found out I was asexual, then aromantic, but that’s half wrong. Now, I’ve developed a crush on my friend after us being friends for a while. I have only told my cousins this, all of this. I don’t know how to tell others about me being demiromantic after thinking I’m aromantic for a full year, and I’m questioning if this friend will find out it’s them, so for now it’s just with my cousins. (Enby/14/Demiromantic Asexual)