When I came out, it wasn’t always easy. I have known that I was queer since I was 9 or 10 though, because I always felt a connection to the LGBTQ+ community. I liked my female friend when I was 11 and decided I was bisexual. When I was 12, I realized that I really didn’t like guys at all, and lesbian fit me better. After starting middle school, I began to feel dysphoric, but I couldn’t understand why. Eventually, I came out to my parents as a demigirl, but they weren’t always supportive. However, I am now 13 and I would like to use they/she pronouns. I am a proud lesbian :). I am going to get the short haircut I have wanted for a while in a week! It’s not always easy to be queer, but it gets better. (Demigirl/13/Lesbian)
Story #2672
When I came out, I was twelve years old at the time. I don’t really remember the context that well, but I did turn to my mum and say: ‘I might be gay.’ This was followed by awkward silence, to which I peered over to see she was typing out a Facebook post: ‘My twelve year old just came out to me as gay, do I give them the talk’. Humiliated, I just took it back. Two years later I tested the waters, coming out as bisexual, to which I was told, ‘everyone starts out that way, you’re confused.’ My friends have all been supportive, it’s just my parents that I have to deal with now. I have yet to mention that I use she/they pronouns. (Demigirl/17/Lesbian)
Story #2635
When I came out, my brother asked me, “English or Spanish?” And I started dancing around. For those who don’t know, if someone says English or Spanish they say, “First one to move is gay.” What a way to come out! (Demigirl/12/Bisexual)
Story #2626
When I came out, my mom didn’t really care, she just wants me to be me. I haven’t come out to my dad or his side of the family yet, because they’re super homophobic and transphobic. As soon as I can live on my own, I will tell him. (Agender/demigirl/13/Bisexual)
Story #2619
When I came out to my best friend, I was really nervous. I wrote a letter and gave it to her. Then I ignored her for the next thirty minutes. She asked if it was real, and then was really supportive. I haven’t come out to my parents yet but hopefully this summer. (AFAB/12/Genderfluid/demigirl/bisexual)
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 #2428
When I came out to my Bi best friend recently, Ze was really supportive! I am planning to come out to my other two best friends on my birthday. They all support the LGBTQIAP+ community, but there’s a few of my other best friends who I don’t think I’ll ever come out to, because they’d be really weird about it. Just a piece of advice, don’t feel like you have to come out to anyone (at all). The only person you owe it to is yourself. (Demigirl/Maybe panromantic or greysexual)
Story #2357
When I came out to my friends as bi, they were so supportive and understanding. My parents took a while, but eventually they acknowledged it and support me now. My first relationship was with a girl, so at first I thought I was lesbian, but I soon realized that being bisexual fit me the best. Now, 3 years later, I am planning on coming out as demigirl. I came across this site by looking up how to come out, but reading other people’s stories are helping. I’m working on establishing a support system, and I am so so grateful for all my friends who support me! (Demigirl/14/Bisexual)
Story #2351
When I came out as pansexual, I told two of my friends first, because they were interviewing me (I interviewed another friend and found out they were non-binary) and asked about my sexuality. While I was extremely nervous, these two friends are also LGBTQ+, and I knew they would be supportive. As expected they were, and accepted me immediately. Because of this positive experience, I was able to come out to most of my other friends, many of which are also LGBTQ+, but I still have not come out to my parents. (Demigirl/Pansexual)
Story #2332
When I came out I first did with my friends who are mostly gay so they were supportive. I then told my parents over text. They are supportive but don’t want me telling everyone who asks me. I sometimes feel like they are weird about my sexuality but at least they aren’t mean about it. (Demigirl/12/Pansexual)