When I came out, my little sister was the first person I told. I was kind of nervous because I thought she would accept me but I wasn’t sure. I had been talking about the LGBTQ+ community around her, letting her get used to the idea and seeing if she was cool with it. One day, I decided to go for it. I told her I identified as pansexual, and she thought for a really long time. The question she generated in that amount of time was: “Does that mean you’re non-binary too?” I laughed, and I explained to her that I’m not non-binary, only pansexual. She seemed to understand everything, and I’m happy that she turned out to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She even makes small LGBTQ+ related jokes sometimes, just to make me smile. I couldn’t have asked for a more accepting sister. (F/13/Pansexual)
Story #2432
When I came out, I told my friends and parents as soon as I realized, which took me about 3 years to fully understand. I texted my best friend and I asked her, if I’m dreaming about kissing a girl and going out with her, I probably like her, right? She said yes, so I went downstairs and told my parents, who were very accepting (my mom is bi too). There are sometimes people at school who ask if I’m gay, and sometimes I don’t know how to answer, so I stare at them blankly, but I’m working on telling more people, and so far I’ve told several close friends who have all been very supportive. I’m so grateful I am surrounded by such loving people! (F/13/Bisexual)
Story #2424
When I came out, I was about 12 or 13, and my mom was very disappointed in me and didn’t accept me. She said it was a phase and I was too young to know better. Now, I’m in high school, and I’m prepared to come out to her again whether she supports me or not! It can be scary hiding, so I’d rather just be out. (F/15/Lesbian)
Story #2420
When I came out, I told my mom first. We were in the car, and I had known for about a month. It just sort of burst out of me, and while she was semi-supportive, she did do the whole “You’re still young” talk. Later that night, she told me that she had read some articles and done research to fully understand what asexuality meant. She said she was sorry if she had come off as unsupportive. I told my through an email with links to articles about asexuality. I went to my first pride parade (TacomaPride) and am now out to my grandparents, friends, and school. I even had a boyfriend for a little while and he was perfectly ok with my being asexual (we broke up because he came out as gay) . I love myself, and have found a few other asexual people in my school, and a lot of other LGBTQIA+ people. (F/15/Asexual)
Story #2419
When I came out it was to my older sister. I told her I liked this girl (I’m a girl) and she took my hand and told me she loved me and everything was still the same. I asked her if she was surprised and she responded saying it wouldn’t be fair to be surprised. After the conversation ended, I felt so vulnerable and immediately regretted telling her, but now 8 months later I’ve told two more of my friends and hope to continue to come out slowly to everyone important in my life. Every time it’s painful, but I know it’s important to keep doing it so I learn to accept and love myself as much as the people around me do. (F/16/Panromantic asexual cisfemale)
Story #2418
When I came out I was scared because my school counselor found out and she was going to tell my parents and I wasn’t out to them at the time, so I was scared. So I hurried home and I sat them down and looked at them and said, “Hey guys, I need to talk to you,” and I told them I am trans. I almost got kicked out of the house, but now they act like nothing happened and now they call me by my new pronouns. (F/15)
Story #2417
When I came out I was 9 years old. I knew I was a girl so I came out to my best friend, who supported me. I haven’t come out at abro or aceflux yet, but I really hope everybody upports me when I do! (MTF/10/Abro/aceflux)
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 #2406
When I came out I was at a party talking to a random friend of a friend. We were all very drunk and I kinda just blurted it out. Funny how it was the one thing the other people around me remember! (F/22/Lesbian)
Story #2405
When I came out I was 11. I was super nervous and, just out of the blue, texted my friend that I had something to tell them. She was surprised and so I pretended it was a joke. The next day I decided I couldn’t live like this anymore and said that I had not been joking. If you are under 14 and think people will say you’re too young, just say, “How are you too young to be straight?” (F/Lesbian)