When I came out I told my college best friend while we were first years. We were both getting ready for a party and after years of being afraid to even admit to myself I was gay, I was able to finally say the words to him. He told me that he didn’t care and we could still be roommates next year. He then proceeded to say all the things you’re not supposed to say when someone comes out, like “are you attracted to me?” But in that moment him being light-hearted and accepting helped me really accept who I am. (M/19/Gay)
Story #2410
When I came out, I was back home with my parents for the Christmas break, and we were watching a comedy. At one point I asked, “Would it make a difference if someone I loved was a guy or a girl?” The answer was a simple “of course not.” I thought there would be some sort of euphoria, or pride that I finally had the courage to come out… but it was just… calm. Calm and certainty. This moment of realisation, the knowledge that I could finally be who I truly am, was much more powerful that any other feeling I could experience. Now, armed with this calm, quiet, yet so powerful feeling that I can finally be who I am meant to be, the face looks brighter — next year, and all the years to come. (M/19/Bi)
Story #2409
When I came out for the second time to my religious mother (separated parents), I was 27 and my boyfriend was waiting for me outside to take a bus. She started crying and blame all to herself for several minutes before I left the apartment. Months later she has become very accepting and asks about my guy at times. (M/28/Gay)
Story #2399
When I came out, I was at the school art club and I made a badge with ‘he/him’ written on it. My friend saw and asked if they were my new pronouns. When I said yes she was very supportive and was there for me when I came out to some of my other friends. (M/13/Gay)
Story #2398
When I came out I was 12 (7th grade). I had come out as lesbian to my mom; she was accepting of it as she was bisexual. On the other hand, my grandma thought I was too young to actually know. As time went on, when I got into the 8th grade, I wasn’t very happy with my gender. I never wanted to say I was a boy cause I felt it was wrong to think so I said I was nonbinary. I recently came out to my mom as trans and she’s trying to get used to it. I’m still trying to figure it all out, though. (M/15/Transgender/bisexual)
Story #2395
When I came out it was in July 1992. I was 17 years old and I told a school friend, and he told me he was gay as well. We remained friends until life took another direction for him. I am now 47 years old. I have been single all my life and I’m still on a journey to accept myself and feel that it’s fine to be gay. My first crush was Mike Nolan from Bucks Fizz in 1981 and Christopher Reeve in Superman 2 . I still have hope that one day I will meet a soul mate and he will be my Superman. (M/47/Gay)
Story #2391
When I came out I was 11 and my dad had just found out about how I was self-harming. He was bringing me a towel after my shower and accidentally saw everything. I broke down, and he asked me why I was doing this. At the time, I was out as non-binary, but I told him I was a boy. My dad was very accepting, which made sense. I wasn’t scared to come out to my mom, since she’s a lesbian. How that went was, “Mom, I’m transgender,” and “Okay, what does that mean for you?” Then I flip-flopped between omnisexual, bisexual, and gay/mlm until eventually settling on gay. I’m out to everyone and am happier than ever. (M/FtM/14/Gay/mlm)
Story #2390
When I came out I was 13 years old. I had told my parents, and my dad just ignored it but my mom started yelling and asking questions that were none of her business and made me extremely uncomfortable (at the time I came out as bisexual). I’ve never thought about myself as a girl; I just saw me as I was, and it wasn’t until puberty I realized I wasn’t a girl. I didn’t like anything; my long hair was a bother and seemingly the only thing people liked about me. I just disliked the whole female anatomy and puberty. I really am a boy. Up until this day I still haven’t told my Christian parents after the last time, and I’m still bothered by it, because my younger sister came out as lesbian two years later and my parents were fine with it. Now only my friends call me by my name and correct pronouns and they help me a lot, so I’m grateful for that. I hope that one day I’ll be exactly how I see myself. (Male [FtM]/16/Pansexual)
Story #2384
When I came out to my friends they all asked what it meant, and after I explained what aro/ace is and what it means, they didn’t make a big deal about it, they just shrugged their shoulders and said “okay”. I don’t know why but that felt like the best outcome I could’ve gotten: no denial, no overflowing support. It felt absolutely wonderful when it happened, because that’s how I thought of it in my head. Jump out of your shell if you are under 14, because as long as you aren’t in the popular group, it will work out fine. (M/13/Ace)
Story #2379
When I came out, I was a little scared. I’m a trans man born female at birth but gender expression is male. I had already been out to my friends (almost all of them are queer) and I came out to my parents. They said good job but also said like stop talking about it; they are supportive, just sick of my talking about it. So I came out a second time. This time it’s a letter and they got the message! I was so happy. Then I came out to my uncle’s family. they are supportive and my aunt’s family but everyone else…. isn’t… and it’s hard to keep it secret.