When I came out, everyone was super supportive. I am so lucky to be in a community of friends (in boarding school) where almost everyone is also LGBTQ+. When I came out to my friends here, they all were so happy and now we are forming a coalition to help my roommate begin questioning her sexuality, as we both come from pretty rural conservative towns and hadn’t really thought about it before. I still haven’t come out to my family at home yet, and am pretty nervous but am glad I have my friends here and at home (who I came out to over a Zoom call; they were very supportive and happy as well) to support me. I am planning to tell my brother first, as I know he will be accepting and knows more about LGBTQ+ than my parents, who are more of the accepting of their gay coworkers but very awkward around anything gay type, and I don’t really know how they will react. (F/14/Pansexual)
Story #2243
When I came out I could barely hear the words over the sound of my heart pounding. I have always loved my queerness but after the words left my lips I hoped the world would end before anyone responded. I was so nauseous I was worried I was going to puke. My parents said they had no idea but of course they were happy to know and loved me. My friends said “Ohhhhh, that makes sense.” I’ve never received a truly homophobic response to coming out, but I can still feel all the oxygen leave the room when I think of the first time. But I survived. I made it. (F/23/Queer/bisexual)
Story #2238
When I came out to my best friend as aroace, she just shrugged and asked me a few questions to understand it better, but otherwise didn’t make it such a big deal. She’s awesome, by the way. On the other hand, when I came out to my parents, they said that it was “just a phase” and that I shouldn’t say that until I know for sure because I’ll find the right person someday, so that made me angry. Otherwise though, my coming-out experience was good. (F/14/Aro/ace)
Story #2233
When I came out it was a little sudden; the first time I understood the term pan while trying to figure myself out I felt immediately like that was me. Then one day after school some of my friends were asking about whether I had a crush and somehow the conversation went from me protesting embarrassedly that “it’s complicated” to me saying “So I’m pan” as we got on the bus. My friends were gay and trans; and lesbian; so they both were really accepting. It was relieving to finally let somebody know how I felt. I’ve told my mum that “I could see myself with a girlfriend or boyfriend” (in tears) but she said she understood, but she and my dad were both pretty confident I’d “settle down and figure it out” so I don’t think she knows that pan is actually a real thing. I’ll tell her one day soon and explain it fully but right now I think I’ll let her think about it a while longer… (F/15/Pan)
Story #2232
When I came out it was “census day.” I filled out my census on my household account, not realising that when my parents logged in to do theirs, they’d be able to see all of my answers. To cut a long story short, I’m looking for a new house, and I’m going to hell too apparently. (F/18/Pansexual)
[Editor’s note: UK folks, you can go to https://census.gov.uk and click “Need to answer separately from your household?” and they’ll send you an anonymous access code so you can fill in your own information and overwrite whatever your official household form says.]
Story #2229
When I came out I was in math class. I had gone to turn something in, so I was out of my seat, when I came back my best friend (who is bi) was saying how she sits next to two straight people. I said, “I’m offended,” and then sat down. The person sitting next to me said, “Wait, why?” I commented, “Because I’m not.” (F/13/Questioning)
Story #2226
When I came out to my best friend it was right after he hit on me and said he liked me. I was so scared but then he told me he was bi. Now I have a beautiful trans girlfriend and my friend has a boyfriend! (F/12/Pan)
Story #2224
When I came out I was just 11. I came out to a friend and they were super supportive. I was planning to come out in June, but it came out early. It was by email and I was super worried they would be homophobic or not supportive at all, but I was wrong. Remember, you’re never alone. (F/11/Pansexual)
Story #2223
When I came out, I was 16. I was with my boyfriend at that time. I was having weird feelings towards his sister; I was crushing hard on her. I finally told my boyfriend at that time I was in love with his sister. He understood. We have been together for 6 years and counting. We are getting married next fall. (F/22/Bi)
Story #2221
When I came out to my twin sister, she got really excited and shouted, “FINALLY.” She’s been really supportive so far. When I came out to my older brother, he said something like “Yah girls are nice” and “now we can talk about the hot girls together” and then he hugged me. I haven’t come out to my parents yet, but I think they’ll accept me. (F/16/Lesbian)