When I came out, I was 18 and showering. My mom came in and asked whether I was interested in any boys at my school. I said no, which was true. Then she asked if there were any girls I liked. I didn’t expect the question and I was nervous so I said: maybe. I had a crush on a girl but I didn’t want to tell her so I wasn’t completely honest. It was more uncomfortable since I was under the shower and naked. Even though I didn’t fully come out, ever since this conversation my mom always talks about future husbands AND wives. That makes me happy. (Genderfluid/18/Lesbian)
Story #2345
When I came out to my friends as bisexual (I’m not anymore), it was in the major wave of Covid-19, so I had to do most of it over email, which made it really hard for me to tell anyone in person. Now I talk to my close friends (one is bisexual, the other is genderfluid/aro-ace) freely about my sexuality and gender and feel much more comfortable in my skin. Recently I have been going through a sort of gender crisis and use they/them pronouns, and my friends have been amazing, but I’m terrified to tell my parents. I think they’re catching on, but I’m not ready to tell them yet, regardless of how much I hate being misgendered by them. (Agender/13/Lesbian)
Story #2338
When I came out, my mother was just like, “ok I will respect you” and told me she is pan. My father said ok and made a few dad jokes. My friends were already out to me and me to them that was just I mentioned a crush used she/her pronouns. This one kid deadnamed me and my sister made fun of it/its pronouns but aside from that it was good. Mother even asked about transition (not yet). (Non-binary/Lesbian/neptunic)
Story #2324
When I came out, it was a year ago to my best friend. I said, “ok, I’m bi but minus the guy.” It was so much easier than saying I am a lesbian. We chatted for three hours about it and she helped give me confidence. A few months later I told my family…. Boy, I wish I hadn’t done that. My dad accepted me but kept teasing me about it, and my mother said it would be best if I didn’t tell anyone and that who you love changes over time. It was really difficult time, but my mum has her reasons for not being too pleased. Anyway, from now on I try and help people I know with being honest about their sexuality and identity! (F/15/Lesbian question asexual)
Story #2323
When I came out I was 25 years old and had just broke up with what was to be my last boyfriend (I tried so hard to be straight for so long). I had just felt so unhappy that one day I had a conversation with myself: “You’re not happy and you could be. I’m gay.” A week later I came out to friends and family and haven’t looked back. (F/30/Gay/lesbian)
Story #2275
When I came out it was at first to a couple friends, who all took it well (though I had to come out twice to one of them because he thought I was joking for some reason). After I came out to my sister, who has threatened to tell my parents a couple of times, but I think she’s forgotten now based on the way she acts. I came out to my form by WhatsApp in June (pride month 🏳️🌈) and everyone that responded took it well, but I know that some who didn’t see it would’ve definitely been really REALLY homophobic. I recently found out who my English teacher will be this year and she is friends with my parents and it’d be ABSOLUTELY AWFUL if she found out and told them. (F/Lesbian)
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 #2271
When I came out to my parents as gay, they just sat there in silence. There was no words of love, or acceptance, or validation. If you had a similar experience, I want you to know that you are loved, valid, and accepted. (Non-binary/Lesbian)
Story #2269
When I came out the first time was last year in summer. I texted my friends that I’m bisexual because I was too nervous to say it. But they accepted me and said that they will always love me. Then one friend told me that she’s a lesbian and we began to be a couple. After seven months I told my mom and she said something like “just a phase” and “you’re too young to know” and it was not very good for my mental health. In March I came out to friends as a nonbinary lesbian (trixic, but everyone understands lesbian) and they were very supportive and lovely to me. In June, my dad random said that he will not be getting grandchildren and I was like, “Why?” and he was like, “Bro I always knew you only liked girls,” so he accepted and was very nice to me. (Nonbinary/genderfluid/14/Lesbian/trixic)
Story #2268
When I came out to my best friend about how I was lesbian, she supported me the whole way, and in a couple days I’m going to come out to my family. I hope it goes well. 🤞(F/11/Lesbian)