When I came out, I told my parents that I didn’t feel like a girl, but not like a boy either. My dad asked, “What are you then, an alien?” My brother, who is extremely supportive, said, “Non-binary”, but my dad said that was fake. Then, my mom made a whole lecture on “puberty discomfort” and I sat through it, but I’ve felt disconnected from my gender for about a year now. I’ll try coming out to my parents when I’m older, so maybe then they’ll accept that I know who I am. Take something from my story; don’t forget: only you get to decide who you want to be. (Non-Binary/11)
Story #2512
When I came out, it was to my parents. They had known I was questioning my sexuality, but they didn’t exactly like it. I had made comments about me being aroace, but every time had felt like I was being judged for bringing it up so often (actually about once a month — and I’m aroace year round lol), and that my parents didn’t approve. I finally had another comment, and afterward I told my mom that I felt like I was not allowed to talk about my sexuality. They had made it clear that aroace was approvable because I’m not attracted to girls, but still not as good as straight (little do they know I’m pan oriented). (Non-binary trans masc/15/Trans non-binary gender-fluid pan-oriented aroace)
Story #2510
When I came out I made a little jar with the bi colours. I later made a new jar featuring the aroace colours and since then have kept it in my room. I also should probably come out as nonbinary (I kinda have already but everyone keeps using she/her pronouns around me even though I use they/them) before my birthday so I’m not getting all these “to my amazing granddaughter” cards or something… (Non-binary/13/Aromantic asexual)
Story #2493
When I came out to my friends and some of my family, I was 11. I was scared but when I told them I was non-binary and pan they were supportive. My aunt still calls me my dead name at times but I don’t think she really means it… but yea I have a lovely boyfriend. (Non-binary/14/Pansexual)
Story #2489
When I came out as bisexual, I was 13. In elementary school, when my friends and I played pretend, I’d always play a guy and I’d always try to flirt with my female friends. In middle school, I discovered I had a fiendish attraction to Rosario Dawson, and I once typed “am I gay?” into Google before closing the tab out of shame. I knew I had crushes on boys, but I didn’t accept my attraction to women until I was 13. I remember sitting in my room alone, texting my friend, “I think I might be bisexual.” It took a while to type because my fingers were shaking so much. And she said something like, “That’s wonderful!” Immediate acceptance and love. My mother’s reaction was not so affirming. At least the first time I came out set a good standard. (Non-binary/21/Queer)
Story #2478
When I came out, it was to my friend who had previously come out to me as bi, and who knew I was aroace. I casually asked her if she used trans people’s real pronouns or not, which she did. I then added on that I use my name instead of pronouns. She accepted me for who I am, which I really appreciated. I also later joined a pride group chat, and might invite my friend as well. (Trans Nonbinary Bigender [Agender and Genderfluid]/15/ Aromantic Asexual Trans Nonbinary Pangender Genderfluid Agender Bigender)
Story #2477
When I came out I was in a classroom full of now-former toxic friends, including my toxic crush who commented, “Wow, everyone in the room is so godd*mn gay” after someone else had mentioned their same-gender ex. Little middle school me, for whatever reason, decided it would be a wonderful idea to randomly blurt out, “That’s me!” Cue absolute silence in the classroom. I had been working out my sexuality for months now, after realizing my strange obsession with my friend wasn’t simply an obsession, it was, in fact, a huge-a** crush. The kids in that classroom went on to say some pretty awful things to me that year, after finding out who exactly my crush was, causing me to switch schools. This was the best choice I ever made, as now I have the best friends a queer little dork like me could ask for, who will support and love me no matter what my sexuality may be. (Female/non-binary/5/Pansexual)
Story #2474
When I came out I hung a giant pride flag on my wall. My parents say they support me. But it’s been super awkward.. Luckily I have my best friend/crush. (Nonbinary/12/Demisexual)
Story #2472
When I came out, I told my friends first (many of whom are gay) and they automatically supported me, no questions asked. When I finally decided to come out to my parents half a year later after I found my identity, I composed a lengthy text message and sent it to them both while they were out of the house. When they came home, we had a talk in my bedroom–and my Christian parents just hugged me and said, “We love you–so love who you love.” I started crying because I was afraid they wouldn’t accept me…and yet they did. (Non-binary/Pansexual)
Story #2471
When I came out to my mother as nonbinary (she already knew I liked girls; this was before I figured out I was oriented aroace and liked nonbinary peeps too), she seemed okay with it and actually sort of seemed like she already suspected. My stepfather came into the same room about half way through to make a fire, and my mom just kept talking about it even though I didn’t want him to hear because he has said some questionable things about trans people in the past. He definitely heard the conversation, but didn’t comment, didn’t talk to me, and just kept sighing and rolling his eyes. He hasn’t brought it up since; in fact, he seems to call me a girl every chance he gets (practically in every sentence e.g. “You’re a smart girl…”, “Come on, girl!”, etc.), and my mom also calls me a girl and doesn’t use they/them pronouns with me. I’m still figuring out whether I should bring it up with them, come out to my stepfather properly, or if I wasn’t explicit enough. (Nonbinary-Trans and Agenspec Polygender/11/Omniaspec Enbitrix Oriented Aroace)