When I came out, I was 15. It was my freshman year of high school and I was at a new school. I had come to realize over the summer that I am a trans male. I came out to my friends and told them my new name and they accepted me. When I started school I introduced myself to teachers, friends, peers, as ethan. It felt amazing to finally feel like myself. However, my parents still didn’t know. One day, one of my favourite teachers wrote a really sweet and kind note about me using my name, ethan. It was sent in an email to my parents. I ended up getting student of the month and on the certificate it had my name on it. So, I decided to tell my parents that day. Hoping that I’d be able to tell them before the email did. I told them. They were supportive and accepting, I couldn’t have asked for more. It was amazing. I finally feel like me. (Transmasc genderfluid/Trans male/15/ Pansexual/demisexual/demiromantic)
Story #2731
When I came out I had just turned 18. My best friend kept making homophobic remarks and I just decided I had had enough, so I painted a pride flag and hung it on the door of my room. My friend then came for a visit and saw it, then she asked me if I was queer. I came out as a lesbian and surprisingly, she has been really supportive — I don’t think I’ve heard a single negative remark from her since then. It made me believe that even homophobes can change, because the people who truly care about us won’t mind who we are and who we love. (F/19/Lesbian and demisexual)
Story #2618
When I came out as non-binary, my girlfriend at the time talked about how I seemed so masculine and that using the non-binary label was just a fad. She is queer so I was hoping that over time she would grow to accept it, but the opposite happened. I was lucky to have a remote job so I could move out to be with family who still struggle with pronouns but accept me. I still struggle to understand my own gender fluidity because my gender feelings have always been strong, but feel like they change on a dime. At this point I’m out as non-binary though I don’t pass yet and the fluidity is not a thing I understand how to talk generally. However, this is the first time in my life that feels like I’m loving it in a way that is authentic to myself, and if you relate to my story at all, please be brave! ❤️ (Non-binary/genderfluid/27/Bisexual/demi-sexual/polyamorous)
Story #2600
When I came out, it was technically to myself. I was 12 or 13 and I realized that I didn’t experience any attraction to people until I really got to know them. I at first thought it was normal until I developed a crush on my childhood best friend, who was a boy. I was like: “Eww… I’m gay? That’s gross…” but after a little bit of research, I realized I was demisexual and I was surprised. I do contemplate if I’m either demi or pan but my mind is like: Go, Demi! Nowadays, I’m deciding if I’m either nonbinary or pangender. (Nonbinary or pangender/14/Demisexual)
Story #2570
When I came out, I think everyone knew. From a young age I always showed affection for females and males in media, and not following their attractiveness of tropes. I always needed to feel a deep connection with the character through development of their personitude in storytelling. When I was young, I met my bestest friend. I immediately fell in love, fawning over her for years. When I told my mother, she smiled and told me she would support me no matter who I wanted to be, or who I loved. At this point in my life, I identify as demisexual and demiromantic. Although I am assigned female at birth, I prefer he/they pronouns… Sadly I have only come out about that part of my identity to a small group of friends who were supportive; however, I am not in contact with them anymore. (Demiboy/16/Demiromantic/demisexual)
Story #2535
When I came out, I was 15. I knew that I wasn’t straight for a long time but I didn’t want to admit it. However, coming out to my parents always stressed me out. A month before I came out, I identified as demisexual and I was unsure if my parents accepted that. I told them I was demisexual right in front of them, and they quickly got up from their seat and hugged me, saying that they loved me no matter what. (Pangender/17/Demisexual)
Story #2501
When I first came out, I was 15. I was in denial about my infatuation with my same-sex best friend of four years. I was so confused about my emotions for so long that I’d write poetry about it for only my eyes to see. It took me those four years to finally realize and confess to her. For the longest time before that, I tried my hardest to appear like a ‘normal’ woman to a point where I rejected those part of the same identity as me and I’ve come to regret it. I used to essentially be a ‘pick me’, catering to men for their validation, only to realize that I didn’t even want their attention to begin with. (F/20/Demi)
Story #2496
When I came out, I was probably around 10-13. I first came out as bisexual, which I was wrong, girls suck (not all girls), then came to terms with being transgender at the age of 13, though I had to hide it. Mom found out by looking through my messages. Even now as an FTM she still uses “god sees it as a sin.” I recently came out to most teachers and have a supportive teacher. Some still want to force me in the box/force me to come out in documents. I am proud to say that I’m gay. (Transgender male/17/DemiGay polyamorous)
Story #2474
When I came out I hung a giant pride flag on my wall. My parents say they support me. But it’s been super awkward.. Luckily I have my best friend/crush. (Nonbinary/12/Demisexual)
Story #2473
When I came out, I came out to my friends first. Most of them I already know were somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, while some I didn’t and I was happy to learn what they were too! On the last day of school we decided to buy a bunch of pride flags and pins (since our last day was June 1st). It was awesome! We got a lot of positive feedback! Our straight ally friend even made us “gaycelets” (bracelets in the form of our specific pride flags). (F/12/Pansexual/Demisexual/Demiromantic)