When I came out I tried to do so subtly. I did TikToks (cosplay mostly), watched drag races, tried on makeup even when it wasn’t Halloween. And then, one day after my grandma left, I put on as much as I could, wore my mother’s old dress, and put on some jewelry. I went to school like this. At first, everybody I passed whispered and laughed. Finally, at the end of the day, one of my teachers came up to me and hugged me. They told me they were gay too. I smiled. Ever since that day I have been living with my teacher since 9th grade. My grandma kicked me out, but many other people supported me. (M/17/Gay/drag queen)
Story #2121
When I came out I first told my best friend that I was questioning. I’ve had past relationships with girls but was never truly happy. I then told a friend who came out to me that I was almost sure I was gay. I plan to tell my mom because I know she will be very supportive of me. (M/12/Gay)
Story #2110
When I came out I was 14 and my sister was completely accepting. Not only did she support me fully, she promised to follow me on my journey. (M/14/Gay)
Story #2099
When I came out to my friend I was really scared. I had thought he was gay for a long time and I had the biggest crush ever on him. It was in math class and I had used all my persuasion to get the teacher to put me on a table with him. We were having a test and the teacher walked out to get some paper. The whole class started chattering. I looked at him and my eyes met his. It was pretty romantic for a math class lol. I knew it was the moment and I told him how I felt and that I liked him. He immediately replied with “I like you too”. And that was it. That day we walked out of math class with the biggest smiles on our faces. Only he knows that I’m gay and I’m fine with that. (M/13/Gay)
Story #2091
When I came out I did it gradually. I told my friends when we would have code names to call me boys names, and eventually just told them the name I want to go by and my new pronouns. They’re trying their best. I am coming out to my parents tonight over a text I have been rewriting for a long time. I haven’t send the text but I will by 10. It is 9:52 and I am scared. (Male [FtM]/16/Bisexual)
Story #2084
When I came out, I came out to my friend E, whom I had an on-and-off romantic relationship with but she has a boyfriend now. We have had a couple pretty deep conversations and so I just suggested it and didn’t explicitly say, “I’m bi” but she understood. She then came out to me as bi and asked me not to tell anyone and we both promised that. (What she doesn’t know is that I now have a crush on her boyfriend.) (M/14/Bi)
Story #2080
When I came out I was incredibly nervous. I told my cousin, who is the only person that I have been with my whole life besides my brother and parents, and she understood almost instantly. We used to always joke that I was more male than female and when we played dress up when we were younger, I would always been the husband or father. Everyone always assumed I was just a tomboy and I was just too influenced by my brother and father, but it was not until very recently that all my depression and anxiety came to a head and I had that thought, “What if I really am a boy and not just a boyish girl?” I have been hinting at being transgender ever since to my parents, brother, and younger sisters, but they all think it is just some ongoing joke I have and do not take me seriously. I talk with my cousin but neither of us have the money or resources to move out of our respective houses and start buying me the necessities I need to transition, so my hair is still long and I don’t have a binder. I am hoping to change that soon. (M [FtM]/18/Asexual)
Story #2071
When I came out, it was in maths class last year to a girl who sat next to me. She wanted me to be her “Gay Best Friend” but I think I’m quite a lame one. On top of that, I didn’t realise I was asexual until a few weeks ago. To be honest, it’s been a really horrible year, just a giant punch to the face every day, and being gay and ace makes me feel different in a bad way, and coming out seems stupid because why should someone judge you for that, why can’t you just be yourself and not say anything? And then, I feel like if I come out as ace people will think I’m lame because I don’t know who’s attractive. I just hope this year is over soon and then we can all laugh about it. (M/17/Gay/ace)
Story #2067
When I came out, it was an accident. I had actually already come out to my sister and a couple close friends, but I wasn’t out to all my peers. Some kids were teasing me about how I acted gay, like usual, but this time it was really getting out of hand. One of the remarks was spewed at me was “How come you act so gay!?!” And I was so fed up at this point that I accidentally answered: “BECAUSE I AM!” (M/16/Gay)
Story #2063
When I came out, I was so scared like anyone else, but I did it. I first told my mom, who supported and still does support me. She said to be careful because of how mean people can be. But I didn’t come out to my dad; he pretty much found out. I was being bullied at school for being gay, which led to him finding out. Now I’m proud to be who I am. (M/Gay)