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)
Story #2274
When I came out about questioning my gender, I was having a kinda intimate conversation with two friends (pan guy A and cishet guy C). They already knew I’m a lesbian, but now also that I’m demisexual and somewhere between girl and agender. I’m not sure yet about my gender but I’m okay with that. Paradoxically, I’m more okay with “feminine” things like wearing skirts since I know that. A understood me exactly because his trans boyfriend had similar experiences, C was confused but supportive. (Demigirl?/20/Demi lesbian)
Story #2258
When I came out was actually just 30 minutes ago to my grandma. She texted me an artist whose name was Angelina Jordan and said it was her favorite artist. Then she proceeded to say, “I love listening to her when I feel a little extra bi.” She also said that many in our family were bi and that she loved me. So basically my grandma came out to me and I was like f it and I told her I was demi and trans. We then texted a little more and she said she knew since I was 3. I’ve always been scared to tell my grandparents but I now know they’ll always love me. (M/13/Demisexual/transgender)
Story #2257
When I came out at age 12 to my mom and siblings it wasn’t direct, but later my mom got me an apointment to talk to a specialist about how I felt. Even though it’s been almost over two years now and I’m waiting for my next appointment with someone who might be able to get me started on T and get top surgery, my mom still misgenders me and deadnames me, which has taken a toll on my mental health. But I’ve finally found a friend who doesn’t misgender me and tries his best at not deadnaming me. (M/13/Demisexual/transgender)
Story #2253
When I came out it was to a group of internet friends, I told them I was bisexual. Fast-forward 3 COVID lockdowns and a lot of time to think and you have one Biromantic Demisexual Bigender Teen. I am out at school as bisexual. I am not confident enough to come out as bigender though; doing so makes me feel like I would be forever stuck in that box. The dysphoria hits hard and I have had many a sleepless night. Hopefully things improve. Mum and Dad are good people but they don’t know much about the LGBTQ community. Wish me luck? ;D (Bigender/14/Biromantic demisexual)
Story #2209
When I came out, it was more of an accident than anything. I’d had a note in my pocket that I had written to my friend, something along the lines of “I just want you to know that I’m nonbinary, specifically agender. I’d like to be called ____ and use they/them pronouns.” I’d forgotten to give it to my friend, and it was left in my pocket for my mom to find. When she was going through the laundry, she found the paper. Being her, she read it instead of asking me what it was or giving it to me, then for some reason kept the fact she’d found it a secret for about 2 weeks. Then, one day, she called me out onto the porch and asked me about it. I confessed that yes, it was true, and that was how I felt. She refused to call me my preferred name, and used they/them pronouns for about a day before going back to she/her. That was about 3 or 4 months ago, and she still calls me she/her and my deadname. (Agender/12/Panromantic/demisexual)
Story #2176
When I came out, I was already out to most of my school friends as gay, but then I started to question my gender and figured out I was agender. The first few people I came out to were accepting, but they all made a huge deal out of it (it’s just me??? call me by my name and pronouns as you would do anyone else???), and eventually, rumours started floating around the school as they had when I had come out to these same people as gay. This made me quite anxious as I felt that everyone knew my deepest secret. Later when I came out to my class, people kept deadnaming and mispronouning me, saying, ‘Same thing’ or ‘You know what I meant’. Later by the people in my class I got bullied (still am being bullied) and called an ‘it.’ And finally, was outed to a bunch of my teachers: When they called the roll and said my deadname (though I appreciate people learning my real name, it was super annoying) people in my class yelled out (some quite mockingly :((() ‘Actually, it’s *real name.*’ And as I’m not currently out to my mum, this was quite distressing as some of the teachers are friends with and talk with my mum often. 🙁 (Agender/non-binary/13/Aromantic/pansexual/demisexual)
Story #2167
When I came out it was probably the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done. I told my mom first, and she accepted me fully, but I am yet to tell her I’m Pan instead of bi. I told all of my friends next, and they were supportive too. One of them came out too later on, as a genderfluid lesbian. When I told my father, he said it was a phase, so he’s on my “Salty List” forever. On April 4, I met the most diverse, between gender and sexuality, friends anyone will ever have. They are super supportive, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. To this day, I own more than seven pride items, regardless of my dad’s opinion of me, and who I am. Stay strong my friends! (F/12/Pan/demi)
Story #2155
When I came out it was the other day, and 𝐈 wasn’t even the one to do it. I was laying on the ground in drama class the other day when I heard my preferred name being used in answer to one of the teacher’s questions as to who was doing which role. When the teacher asked who they were, one of my friends replied with: “Oh, that’s *deadname*’s preferred name!” I was scared when I heard this as many kids in my school were transphobic until I heard my teacher ask me which pronouns I use ! She was really supportive, though I am still mad at my friend for outing me 🙁 (Non-binary/agender/12/Pan/demi)