When I came out to my friend over the phone I said, “I like boys, and girls” to which she replied, “Oh my gosh same” and I did a double take. Coming out to my other friend was hard because first I actually needed to get her attention, then I said, “[Friend], I’m bi” and she said, “Wait, say that again” so I said it again and she was happy and jumping around, then I told her I was genderfluid. At another place I was talking with three or four people and one said, “I don’t think I know anyone who is bi” so I had to say, “Now you have!” I say that I’m bi and genderfluid because it is SO much easier to understand than saying that I might be this or that or both or something. Anyway, continue being your queer/ally self and show that closet who is boss. (NB/genderfluid/androgynous/gender is confusing/13/Biromantic/panromantic/demiromantic/akoiromantic/ace)
Story #1821
When I came out it was the scariest thing ever. I first came out to my close friend group. Then I started writing letters (never sent) and emails (never sent) and practicing in front of the mirror. One day I got the courage to tell my grandmother, who told me she would support me no matter what. Then came the scary part… my mother. We went out to breakfast, and I sat silently for about 15 minutes before she said, “Do your little ‘coming out’ thing. I already know.” When I asked how, she told me she knew since I first found out myself (so about 2 years) and I always seemed gay. This made me laugh because I had been so nervous. At that time I had a girlfriend, who’s still my bestie, but now I have my second, who is loving and supportive and literally kept me from killing myself. (Born female, identifies non-binary / 13 / Bisexual, Genderfluid)
Story #1789
When I came out I told my friend group, but someone thought that I was saying that for attention and threatened to tell my parents. Considering their religion I was super scared and almost started crying, but after switching schools I felt way more comfortable and would openly tell anyone that I was pan if they happen to ask. I still don’t tell any adults other the the GSA president though. (Non-binary/13/Panromantic)
Story #1751
When I came out, I told my mom one late night and she said that she understood, but after a week of not referring to me by any name at all she’s back at it again to using my dead one. (Non-binary/16/Aroace)
Story #1733
When I came out to one of my best friends as non-binary, I was so scared of how she would handle it because I felt so vulnerable at the time. I texted her to tell her, and she immediately asked my pronouns and was so supportive. It honestly could not have been better. (NB/15/Queer)
Story #1726
When I came out I never really had any lgbt people to ask for advice or associate with. I had first come out online to internet friends, and then casually said I liked guys and girls and everyone in between to my best friend. They said it was totally cool and it turns out my other best friend is bi, which is really nice. (NB/Grey ace)
Story #1712
When I came out it was to all of my friends first at the school I am currently going to, and all of them were OK with it. But there was one problem: One of them was threatening to tell my parents because she didn’t understand the possible dangers to coming out. At the end of the year I switched schools before she could out me. Getting to my new school was fun because I found other old friends who also had “unusual” identities or sexualities and there is even a gay straight alliance club aka GSA. (Non-binary/13/Panromantic)
Story #1708
When I came out to my girlfriend as non- binary, I was terrified. At that point, we had been dating for two years (three now) and I felt like I was betraying my best friend by keeping it from her. I wrote her a loooong letter and made her read it in front of me. After she was done she gave me the biggest hug and admitted that she had already suspected something was up with my gender and that she loved me regardless. She even told me that she had stopped referring to me as her girlfriend weeks before I came out to her. I’m so grateful and lucky to have such an amazing S/O. (NB/22/Queer)
Story #1648
When I came out I literally felt my heart racing. I felt like a whole new person. I also came out to the majority of friends and family over text and everything went fine. Things do get better! (16/Non-binary/Bi)
Story #1583
When I came out, I was scared that my friends would judge me. They knew about my sexuality and gender identity, but being polyamorous isn’t normally socially acceptable. But the friends I told were super supportive! (15/Pan/nb/polyam)