When I came out, I think I had known since I was around 14-15. I initially came out as ace, and now lesbian. I had a minor crush on one of my classmates – who I didn’t know was bi at the time – and one day at a sleepover, we were playing truth or dare with my friend group. And then the dreaded question came up: Do you like anyone? I took a deep breath, and told them I had a crush on [the girl] and that I was gay. Everyone was super supportive. It has been about 2 years since then, and I am forever grateful for my friends. We always insult each other jokingly and they have been there for me like family, even when my own parents weren’t. They asked me if I was planning to come out to my parents and I said no. My parents are super homophobic and transphobic. They are traditional and even if I was straight, they wouldn’t want me dating anyone not of my race (I’m South Indian btw). I am happy with my identity and the things I’ve learned about myself, and my parents can’t change that. (F/16/Lesbian/ace)
Story #2568
When I came out I first came out to my friends in my drama class. I was 11 and knew for a really long time that I was a lesbian because of how I had never gotten any crushes on boys but only girls. I also had a major crush on my friend since the beginning of the year. So they were talking about how many people they knew that were LGBTQ and they then asked me. I was super scared and so I just said “me”. And it turns out they were super accepting and one of them was gay too and the girl I have a crush on is bi. I haven’t come out to my parents yet but I have given lots of clues so idk how they don’t know yet? (F/12/LESBEAN🏳️🌈)
Story #2567
When I came out, I said, “Mom, I like girls.” She responded with, “Wait, you thought we didn’t already know?” Apparently, I accidentally came out a year earlier and didn’t even notice. I don’t even remember what it was that I said to out myself at that time, but it makes for an interesting story, I guess! (F/22/Lesbian)
Story #2562
When I came out as bisexual I was 18 years old. My mom didn’t believe me. Nowadays she does and calls my bisexuality, “sexual urges”. My dad and my siblings accept me as a bisexual. Recently I figured out that I am gender fluid. Most days I feel like a guy. Other days I feel like a girl. My dad accepts me but he is still processing that I am gender fluid because I told him yesterday. I came out to my older brother and he accepts me. All I have to do is tell my sisters. (F/24/Bisexual/genderfluid)
Story #2561
When I came out to my friend group it was the biggest weight off my shoulders. I had known since I was 14 and I knew my family wouldn’t care but I was so scared to tell my friends because of stuff they said in the past and they all had boyfriends. I told them while on a ski trip with school at 17 and I had never been more scared in my life that they wouldn’t treat me the same but once I got the words out I received nothing but support and I’m so grateful for them. (F/18/Lesbian)
Story #2554
When I came out at the age of 15, things got a bit chaotic. My stepdad was a conservative man who worked in the business industry and when I told him I was lesbian, he was upset and didn’t talk to me for the next two or three weeks. My mom, on the other hand, was super supportive because she was bisexual. After a few years, I identified as panromantic and my stepdad just lost it and severed ties with me. My mom supports me to this very day, though. (F/29/Panromantic)
Story #2553
When I came out early 2020 I was about 14 years old. I had told my aunt. She was not fond of the idea; she didn’t think it was right for a male to transition to a female. I have had it rough even till this day. It hurts really bad but I know in my heart that I can overcome this pain and I will do it by myself like I have been. It’s so rare for trans girls where I am from to really care about me but I’ll survive (F/17/Transgender)
Story #2548
When I came out “unoffically” my parents checked my computer one night after a teacher complained at school because of me reading a lesbian wattpad story and saw lesbian tiktoks and videos in my search history. They were confused and I’m not sure if they support me as they are heavily Christian and don’t believe in it. I like a girl at our school (which is also a Christian school) and some teacher complained about us touching in class even though straight couples kiss in our class all the time. I feel unaccepted anywhere I go except when I’m playing sports. (F/14/Lesbian)
Story #2547
When I came out to my parents in middle school as just gay (they don’t know terms) they were somewhat supportive, but my dad was not sure. He went on a walk with me and basically said you’re probably not gay, because you are just desperate to fit in and your friends are gay so you think you are. I believed him, and so during lockdown I went back to “being straight” and then I had to re-come out to myself in high school. I now understand myself more and I have come out to a few close friends, who have all been super supportive of me. They are even helping me with my crush right now!!! I am going to ask her to prom 🙂 (F/17/Biromantic asexual)
Story #2542
When I came out, my dad was full of anger. (My mom passed away when I was 12.) He kept calling me a disgrace to our family and that I was a mistake. I was heartbroken because I thought being bisexual would be OK to my dad, which now I know it isn’t. My dad still doesn’t support me and always talks bad about me to his friends and our family members. After a few months, I couldn’t hold my anger anymore and I confronted my dad and told him that HE was a disgrace for being hateful and rude. Me and my dad got into a heated argument that night, so I packed my things and I went to my grandparents’ (they live in the next neighborhood) and stayed the night there. My grandparents are extremely supportive and caring, so they were enraged when they found out what my dad said about me. To this day, me and my dad still don’t get along and every time I think about what happened, I burst into tears. Nowadays, I try my best to ignore my father. It hurts but I don’t want to ruin our bond even further. (F/16/Bisexual)