When I came out the first time, I was convinced I was bi. Later, after a LOT of soul-searching, I realized that my definition of “sexual attraction” was completely different from the standard. Apparently, people don’t just find others aesthetically appealing, they also feel an urge to have sex with them? My world was turned upside-down, but I started feeling like the word “asexual” really resonated with my experiences. Coming out for the second time has been great, and to my surprise, everyone was extremely supportive. A lot of questions typically follow when aces come out, but it’s also kinda fun to explain it to people 🙂 (M/23/Asexual Gray-Biromantic)
Story #2437
When I came out it was online. My online friend asked me if we can voice rev and I said sure. I didn’t know what to do because I am FTM trans and my voice sounds like a girl (I haven’t started T yet) and I was struggling on what to do. I tried to deepen my voice but I was afraid it wouldn’t work out and I accidentally blurted out, “Ah sh*t” because I thought I was on mute but sadly I wasn’t. I immediately left the call. I was panicking out, then a minute later he said, “Your voice sounds like a girl. Are you secretly a girl or nah?” and I went like, “Oh f*ck I went way way wrong,” so I just told him that I was trans. This is possibility the dumbest way I came out by accident. (Male FtM/13)
Story #2436
When I came out, I was scared and excited. I felt as if I had found my true self, and realized how the world would react. I buried my sorrows in fake crushes on girls, and ate a lot. I was self conscious because this was after the pandemic (come on, we all gained at least 10 pounds). I found that a mask helped me hide myself, so I wore one everywhere, even after Omicron. Finally, I lost all the weight, got fit, actually too thin, I’m underweight now, and gained strength. I met my boyfriend at a comic shop. He asked for my number, but my parents were restrictive of me, so I only had a computer, so I got his e-mail. He eventually asked me out, and still loves me deeply, and I him. I slowly came out to many close friends and they all support me and frequently ask about my guy. (M/13/Gay and beautiful)
Story #2429
When I came out I was 20/21 and my parents were very accepting of me. But I have friends who are very supportive of me and call me by my gender correct name, which is cool. I am now known as Jay. (M/42/FtM)
Story #2421
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)