When I came out, I was twelve. At the time I had had an enbyfriend and identified as she/they. When I told my mom about them, I was surprised that she was supportive of it! Although some people weren’t “with it” my church was! I am so glad to be myself! (They/them/13/Poly)
Story #2660
When I came out as gay I was so afraid that my father would be upset, but he acknowledged me and even gave me advice on how to woo the person I wanted to ask out. My mother had a different reaction; even though she accepts everyone she could not accept me. I struggled with her insistences of it being a phase and how my partner would not accept me. But I stand today after 5 years feeling better about myself, being able to cut my hair the way I want and dress how I want with my partner who loves me regardless of my gender and orientation. It gets better. (Nonbinary/20/Queer)
Story #2647
When I came out, I was 10 years old. I thought I was bi at the time, but when I told my parents they said that I was “too young” and I was being “influenced” by a friend I had at the time. Now, I know I am queer, sapphic, and non-binary. I am not going to tell my parents because of their reaction when I was younger, but I am out to a few friends and it feels AMAZING to be able to talk about it and make gay jokes. If your parents don’t accept you, I am sending hugs and please know that I love you and accept you always. (Non-binary/13/Queer/sapphic)
Story #2637
When I came out, ‘transgender’ was a word I’d never heard of, but ‘lesbian’ was, so that’s what I went with. My sexuality went around a few roundabouts, but I eventually came out as non-binary and transmasc/trans male and found my sexuality along the way. I told my parents I was trans by leaving an unsent message in my mum’s text messages. I told my brother by saying, ‘I’m your brother’ and he said, ‘I know’. My identity might not make sense to everyone, but it works for me :)) (Non-binary/transmasc/male/18/Bi/asexual/aromantic)
Story #2629
When I came out, it was only to my parents, since two kids at school were getting bullied for being lesbian and the principal was against the LGBTQ+ community. Since coming out as pansexual and nonbinary, I’ve been trying to find ways to tell my long-distance friend in North Carolina and ways to tell my two closest friends via letters once I move. Downstate instead of in the UP, I hope to find support in my new middle school and to be celebrated. There are still going to be hurdles, but I can face them better knowing that my parents have my back always. (Nonbinary/agender/11/Pansexual)
Story #2623
When I came out my school was very homophobic. I got treated like crap for a long time, and my family refused to say anything about it in my house, but then I found a local GSA and made so many friends who support me unconditionally. Now I have a girlfriend and I am fully out! 😀 (Non-binary/12/Pansexual)
Story #2618
When I came out as non-binary, my girlfriend at the time talked about how I seemed so masculine and that using the non-binary label was just a fad. She is queer so I was hoping that over time she would grow to accept it, but the opposite happened. I was lucky to have a remote job so I could move out to be with family who still struggle with pronouns but accept me. I still struggle to understand my own gender fluidity because my gender feelings have always been strong, but feel like they change on a dime. At this point I’m out as non-binary though I don’t pass yet and the fluidity is not a thing I understand how to talk generally. However, this is the first time in my life that feels like I’m loving it in a way that is authentic to myself, and if you relate to my story at all, please be brave! ❤️ (Non-binary/genderfluid/27/Bisexual/demi-sexual/polyamorous)
Story #2606
When I came out I was in 7th grade. I have never been the best at communicating but I somehow managed to build enough confidence to write a paper to my mom saying I was a lesbian. When I came home she was mad that I didn’t tell her in person. She said she was supportive but it didn’t feel like it. Then I came out to her again this year as pan, poly, and non-binary. She is fine and supportive with everything but me being poly. She says it’s disgraceful to be poly. (Non-binary/16/Pan and poly)
Story #2600
When I came out, it was technically to myself. I was 12 or 13 and I realized that I didn’t experience any attraction to people until I really got to know them. I at first thought it was normal until I developed a crush on my childhood best friend, who was a boy. I was like: “Eww… I’m gay? That’s gross…” but after a little bit of research, I realized I was demisexual and I was surprised. I do contemplate if I’m either demi or pan but my mind is like: Go, Demi! Nowadays, I’m deciding if I’m either nonbinary or pangender. (Nonbinary or pangender/14/Demisexual)
Story #2588
When I came out as bisexual to some of my friends a year ago, everything went great. But when I came out as non-binary to my best friend (that was 6 months ago) she said she wasn’t supportive of these ”ideologies” and stuff. We are still friends but it’s not the same as it was. I am the only queer person from my friend group but I found myself other queer friends and let me tell you it was the best that could happen to me. (Non-binary/19/Bisexual)