When I came out to my best friend, we were walking home together. I got really quiet, and she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then I said it: I am a boy. She didn’t say anything at first. Then she smiled, and asked what my name was. When I told her, she said it was beautiful, and that I was beautiful and so brave. I started crying, and she hugged me until I calmed down. She held my hand all the way home, and I remember feeling so loved. She moved away a couple months after that, but she is still one of the best friends I’ve ever had. (M/14/Transgender+Gay)
Story #2480
When I came out to my friend group, it was kinda weird. They all supported me except for two people (There are 6 people in the friend group not including me). They all said they supported me but no one actually uses my preferred name or pronouns. I’m not sure if this even counts as being out, but I guess I tried. (M/12/Transgender/gay man)
Story #2479
When first I came out, it was on accident. I was around 10-11, arguing with my mom about bisexuals/gays, and accidentally said “We’re” instead of “They’re” lol (I don’t identify as a bisexual anymore). But recently, I came out as a transguy to my close family (this is because I told the counselor I wanted to hurt myself, partly because of how I felt about my identity). I’ve been in the closet as a transguy for around two to three years now (used to identify as lesbian, then bisexual, then nonbinary, then finally transmale). But by the time I’d told my mom, I was out to my whole school, my close cousins, and even people online. She’s still having a hard time accepting now, but I’ve got it better than others. I’ve got a great support system at school (not minding the bullies) and in my close family, so I’m not as suicidal as before. (Transmale/13/Omnisexual)
Story #2476
When I came out, it was to some friends at first. My best story is recent, and it was to a guy in my school, during our school’s camp. You see, I’m a fantasy lover, so I decided to write on a piece of paper and make it into a small scroll. I wrote down that I was trans, and explained what it meant. During snack time, I was talking to my friend, and with encouragement, I dropped it next to his water bottle when he wasn’t looking. I watched him read it, look around, and then his friend read it. Yeah, his friend read it. During a bus ride the next day, I asked them if they approved of it. His answer: “Of course! It doesn’t affect your personality and anyone who thinks it does is probably stupid.” I did come out to my parents before the school year, but they were VERY unsupportive. (Transgender Boy/12/Pansexual)
Story #2467
When I came out I was scared. I’ve struggled with my identity since I was 8 years old. Thankfully earlier that year my cousin came to visit and told my mother that they now use they/them and identify as nonbinary. Though my mom didn’t really understand she tried her best to be supportive and use the correct pronouns. They gave me courage to finally come out after all these years to tell her I’m a boy. She was pretty taken back and disappointed I didn’t tell her sooner but she’s trying her hardest to understand and is really supportive. I do feel guilty though as she adopted a daughter and not a son but I hope she still sees me as her child no matter what. She doesn’t use my correct name and pronouns yet but she says she wants to try and wants me to be comfortable. (TransMale/18)
Story #2462
When I came out I was 16. Been many years in the making and eventually only said something because I was afraid to start college with the dead weight of my old name with me. Things aren’t perfect yet but I’m finally getting somewhere 🙂 hoping to start T in a couple months 😉 (M/18/Transgender/straight)
Story #2455
When I came out I was 29 (it was 1985). My father had just died in an accident and that forced me to confront being gay and moving forward to live my true life. I knew I was gay when I was 13, but repressed it through HS, college, and my 20’s. I didn’t date women. I was just a solo person, with many friends, who stayed busy with other activities. I’m 66 now, married to a long-time partner. I envy the youth of today. I still sometimes struggle when I recall the pain of hiding from everyone including myself for so many years. (M/66/Gay)
Story #2452
When I came out I was 15 and at school. It was obvious that I was gay and I never really tried to hide it but would always deny it when asked. My best friend kept asking me who I liked and I kept deflecting the question. One day, after weeks of planning how I would say it, I said that I would tell her who I liked. She figured out that I was trying to come out but was scared to say the words. She asked me, “You’re gay? I’ve known since 3rd grade” and then we hugged and talked about it for a while. (M/15/Gay)
Story #2450
When I came out, I was 15 years old and on a pit stop at Starbucks during a high school field trip. While we waited for our drinks, my friend asked me outright if I was gay. And through tears, I said yes, and that I had never told anyone before—she hadn’t known it would be my first time coming out. Thank you to everyone who posted their stories on here; they gave so much strength to a closeted gay teen. (M/24/Gay)
Story #2445
When I came out it was to my mom. I told her that I wish I was born as a boy and how I hated myself for being and seen as a girl. My mom was very disappointed at me and told me I will never be one and always be a girl and how I have to wear dresses and skirts in school. She told me that she doesn’t support and included God, that God won’t support people like these and how they will get blind, get cancer, and also deaf. COVID-19 too. (Male FtM/13/Gay)