When I came out, it was only to my mother, because I knew she’d be the most supportive in contrast to my other family members. It was after I had an argument with my twin brother and I started crying, and that night, I decided to tell my mom all my secrets for some reason. I made her guess until she guessed, “Are you gay?” I said a very unconvincing no, and she asked, “Are you bi?” and I said yes. She told me she’d always love me and this was normal, and she kinda wished she liked girls too ’cause males are kinda weird. I still have to come out as non binary though, but I don’t really want to… (Nonbinary/12/Bi)
Story #2750
When I came out to my stepmom and dad in the car, I was feeling really nervous. It was on the 4th of July, actually, so maybe it was out of spite. My stepmom said, “I already knew that, didn’t I?” to my dad and we had a conversation about how I felt after. No regrets. (My mom was less supportive, but hid behind the guise that she and my stepdad “didn’t understand it.”) (Nonbinary/13/Bisexual)
Story #2737
When I came out, my mom was working from home in my parents’. My dad was downstairs. I was sick of hiding who I was. I’d been secretly not wearing the bras my mom bought me and I’d been experiencing intense gender dysphoria. I went into my mom’s room and asked, “What’s your opinion on nonbinary people?” Her response was, “I don’t really have an opinion on them. Why?” I glanced around the room. “Okay then,” my mom sighed. She called my dad upstairs to have a private discussion. I was crying. The night before, I’d asked my mom, “What do I do if I don’t want to tell you something because I’m afraid you won’t understand or think it’s valid?” And me being nonbinary was the thing. After the discussion, my parents said they believe that I feel nonbinary. They said they’d get me bra substitutes. But refused to refrain from using feminine labels and said they would keep calling me by she/her. I took it as a half-win.
Story #2726
When I came out, it was to my closest friends at school, who also identified as LGBTQ+ so I had trust in them. They were really supportive and every week, we attend our school’s Gay-Straight Alliance and have tons of fun conversating around queer humor, media, and life as well as participating in arts and crafts with that gay sparkle. My parents are extremely conservative and would kick me out if I came out to them, but at least I have some support! (Transmasculine nonbinary/Bisexual)
Story #2711
When I came out it was really first to one person accidentally. We were in chorus and I was sitting next to her. She asked if I had a crush on any guys and I said, “No, not on any girls either.” She then said, “You’re bi?” And I said yes. Also our friend group is all LGBTQIA+ and ally so I came out soon after when it came up. I am only out as en-by to 1 friend though. (Nonbinary/Pansexual)
Story #2709
When I came out I outed myself to my best friend when we were talking about a conversation she had with mom. My mom is really pushy about knowing everything about school and my social life and I didn’t realize that not all parents are like that. I said something about my mom pestering me about boys in my grade and if I had a crush and then my friend asked me if I had a crush. I was currently crushing a girl in our grade and I told her. She didn’t make a big deal out of it and we had a very short conversation about my sexuality at a sleepover that weekend. I recently told her that I was exploring my gender indentity and that I might be non-binary and she has been using my preferred name and pronouns. I haven’t told any of my other friends or family so that will be an interesting but someone accepts me!
Story #2701
When I came out as gay it was first at my friend over text and he was cool with it. My other friend asked me if I was gay in the midst of our conversation, and she was supportive about it, even asked who is my crush. I finally told my parents in a letter about my sexuality and they were super supportive. Still haven’t told my extended family but with my parents and friends with me I can do it. (Side note: I eventually told all my friends and they were chill about it.) I still haven’t told anyone I am non-binary. (Non-binary/13/Gay)
Story #2699
When I came out it wasn’t all at once. I came out as bisexual at 13 and came out as a trans man to my friends at 15 and to my family at 16. Trying to discover my sexuality was intertwined with trying to discover my gender and vice versa. I was trying to suppress who I was because evangelical family members called who I am a sin. I refuse to live in shame again. (Nonbinary Trans Man/25/Bisexual)
Story #2695
When I came out, I first came out, rather shakily, to my hair stylist. The subject of my pronouns came up while she was talking with another hairstylist, and she so quickly said “He/Him” that I couldn’t step in and correct her. Later, towards the end of the haircut, I brought it up again, saying I wasn’t out yet, how I’m really They/Them, and she was very supportive. I’m still not out to anyone else, but am so happy that just one person knows. (Non-binary/Bi)
Story #2694
When I came out it wasn’t something that happened all at once. After figuring out my identity at 12, I first was open with the queer friends I made in high school at 15. It took me 4 more years to build up the courage to come out to my mom over text, and she and my dad were supportive! At the present moment it is still something that’s on my mind a lot, especially concerning my extended family and a grandmother whom I’m close with. (Non-binary/20/Aroace)