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)
Story #2448
When I came out I was maybe 11 or 12. I was in the living room with my oldest sibling and my parents. (Both my siblings knew and are also queer.) All I said was “I’m bi.” My mom looked at me and said, “We don’t care who you love” and left. I know she meant that she’s accepting but it still kinda was strange. I had come out to one of my closest friends a few days before and he’s really accepting and is aroace. Most of my friends I never came out came out but I make jokes about how pretty girls are and stuff like that. More recently I thought about my gender and realized I am bigender and use she/him pronouns. All my friends who know were/are really accepting or were just like ‘okay’ (most of my friends are also LGBTQ+ so I expected this). (Bigender/13/Demiromantic/demisexual/bisexual)
Story #2370
When I came out to my friends as pansexual, they were all supportive, being that most of them were already part of it. I’m still questioning right now and haven’t come out to anyone else, but I’m glad to have some of the people I care about most on my side. (Demisexual pansexual)
Story #2346
When I came out to my family, it was terrifying since my mother is religious and doesn’t think lgbtq+ is a real thing. I already came out to my dad and mother; my dad was totally cool with it, while my mother not so much. She said I had “sinned” and what I was feeling wasn’t love, but lust, and told me I needed to ask God for forgiveness. It hurts since before she’d always tell me and my sibling that we could tell her anything and shouldn’t be scared to talk to her. I haven’t come out to my brother yet since I don’t know how he’ll react, but all of my online friends know I’m panromantic and accept me for who I am. PS: Don’t let anyone pressure you into coming out; take your time. I unfortunately made that mistake. (F/14-15/Panromantic/demisexual)
Story #2277
When I came out to myself, it was a long process. I started having a crush on my female best friend and thought I was bi. I soon discovered pansexuality and clicked. I stayed in the closet for months before casually texting my very Christian friend that I didn’t know if I would marry a boy or a girl. We never discussed lqbtq things before so I didn’t want to include nonbinary people as well in case she didn’t know who they were. She hasn’t answered yet. If you want to come out, do it! There will always be people to support you. 🏳️🌈 (F/demigirl?/11/Pansexual/demisexual)