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.
Story #2377
When I came out, my mom dismissed me and said I was following trends, then said I was born a girl, always a girl, and deadnamed me and then threatened to take away my internet. (M/Trans)
Story #2358
When I came out, I was outed. My mother went through my phone and asked me, “So you want to have boy parts and dress like a boy?” I broke down and told her that I did want that. She wasn’t too happy. That was a year and a half ago. I’m still not fully accepted. People at school are horrible. I get barked at every day, I’m harassed, touched, and outed continuously, but it’s getting a little better every day. (M/FtM/15/Homoflexible/bisexual)
Story #2349
When I came out I was just hitting the stage in life where we kids were developing crushes. All my friends had crushes on boys but I always thought that this girl named Riley was pretty and I wanted to hold hands with her. I didn’t officially come out to my family until I was in 6th grade when my homophobic grandmother was being mean to a drag queen. She asked me if I was gay in the most disgusted voice imaginable and although I was scared I put my hands on my hips, stood up tall, and proudly said, “Yes, as a matter of fact I am.” She was so dumbfounded she had to wait until we got home to come up with a response. (Male [FtM]/14/Fraysexual panromantic)
Story #2347
When I came out was from the end of my 8th grade year to the beginning of 9th grade. I told some kids at my school who I thought I could trust. I ended up getting bullied, though. Despite all that I still have friends that support me. Coming out to my mom was the hardest part. Especially when my step dad makes rude comments to transgender people in public. She had a hard time accepting me at first but she is slowly adjusting. I am still coming out so some of my family to this day. (M/15/Transgender)
Story #2340
When I came out I wrote a letter to my mom. She asked me to come speak to her. She said she thinks I’m just doing it for attention and I’m such an attention seeker. Really, I have always hated being a girl and everyone just thought I was a big tomboy. Besides what my mom says, I dress as a very flamboyant boy now as that’s what I prefer. I want to cut my hair to a buzz cut desperately but my mom won’t let me 🙁 Anyways, hopefully when I leave home I can get top surgery and start T (M/15/Pansexual)
Story #2331
When I came out was only recently but I have always known I was gay. Sometimes deep down denial but always obvious to me — gay porn and gay sex kind of was convincing. Anyways, coming out slowly to my trusted friends was wonderful. But coming out to myself was first the most important step. If you are struggling, first ask yourself, can I come out to myself? Then everything else will follow. Peace and love. (M/57/Gay)