When I came out to my family, I was in an arranged marriage with my husband. I didn’t feel very comfortable when I was young and I was living in an unaccepting family even though I hadn’t come out, yet . I had a friend who was trans and they would never call them by their real name and they eventually banned me from talking about them. When I got older I ignored my feelings but once I had my second child I was really feeling out of place. I talked to one of my distant cousins who was gay. I figured out my real feelings and in my realization, I had an affair with one of my lesbian friends from college. When my husband found out he was very angry but also understanding about my sexuality and later came out as pan. This was a very emotional time of my life but I eventually got through it and married the woman of my dreams (college wifey). (F/56/Lesbian)
Story #2460
When I came out it was to my friend. She was openly bisexual so I felt comfortable telling her. I told her and she completely supported me. I tried to tell my other friend but I didn’t know she was homophobic. I told her and she flipped out. She didn’t want to talk to me so I realized she wasn’t a real friend. (12/Lesbian/gay)
Story #2457
When I came out everything felt weirder. I feel like everyone I told (myself included) just tried to avoid the topic. I felt like I was half in and half out of the ‘closet’. Different people in my life responded differently and knew different amounts: my mom knew but didn’t think that nonbinary people could have gender dysphoria, my dad sort of knew but thought it was ‘just a phase’ and didn’t take me very seriously, my dad’s partner was supportive, my mom’s partner didn’t know and thought that ‘there’s no possible way that there are that many transgender people. I mean, there’s always going to be one or two, but…’, and so one. I was (and still am) so scared of rejection. I came to a point where I felt that I had ‘come out’ too much to pretend it had never happened yet too far to fully come out without making it seem like I was craving attention, or doing too much. Because I never knew how to properly come out, no one knows my full identity, just that I use they/them pronouns (sort of), that I don’t dress femininely (at least most of the time), and that I wasn’t straight (even though I never clearly stated my orientation). (Nonbinary Genderflor Genderflux Trans/11/Arospec Ace-spec Abroromantic Lesbian)
Story #2451
When I came out to my two best friends they were totally cool with it. I was scared they might be weird about it or hate me, but they just asked some questions and said they still loved me. I haven’t told my parents, but I’m going to soon. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #2443
When I came out it was in the middle of a mental breakdown. My friends and brother had known beforehand, but I was too scared to tell my parents. When I finally did, they accepted me for who I am and understood not to tell my extended family (homophobia). I am coming out to my extended family soon. Wish me luck! (F/Bisexual or lesbian)
Story #2441
When I came out to my bff, she was so proud. She asked me who the lucky girl is and I told her. This was about November of 2022. A few months after I told a few more people. One of my other friends said that she had to talk to me. She didn’t know my crush. So she asked if I liked anyone and I told her. She said that my crush likes my back. Now in February I came out to my parents by leaving a note on their bed before I went to my friend’s house. My mom texted my friend and said that she loves and supports me. Then when I got home my dad was all like “but are you sure?” (Non-binary/13/Lesbian)
Story #2435
When I came out I came out to my best friends first. They were really supportive of it and supported me all the way. I came out to my parents the other day; I had someone bring up the conversation because I didn’t know what to say. My mom said she already knew I was lesbian but she wasn’t gonna call me by my changed name or pronouns. She said that she was not gonna refer to me as non-binary, which really hurt. (Non-binary/14/Lesbian)
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 #2413
When I came out to myself, I was 14, and thought that I was bisexual, but then at 16, I learnt about asexuality, and thought I was Biromantic Grayace. But then as time passed, I identified as Non-Binary at 19, and with weird feelings towards guys, I realized I was a lesbian at 20, but always felt like I didn’t fit in with the really sexual and romantic feelings of being a grayace lesbian. So now, I realized that I’m Grayaro too! So on the aroace spectrum with a lesbian orientation. I’ve come out to almost all my friends, who are supportive, but my parents are in denial. But I’ve found a beautiful accepting community along my journey of coming out and discovering my identity. (Non-binary/20/Gray aroace lesbian)
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)