When I came out to my family, it was terrifying since my mother is religious and doesn’t think lgbtq+ is a real thing. I already came out to my dad and mother; my dad was totally cool with it, while my mother not so much. She said I had “sinned” and what I was feeling wasn’t love, but lust, and told me I needed to ask God for forgiveness. It hurts since before she’d always tell me and my sibling that we could tell her anything and shouldn’t be scared to talk to her. I haven’t come out to my brother yet since I don’t know how he’ll react, but all of my online friends know I’m panromantic and accept me for who I am. PS: Don’t let anyone pressure you into coming out; take your time. I unfortunately made that mistake. (F/14-15/Panromantic/demisexual)
Story #2231
When I came out as bisexual (biromantic asexual, to be specific) to my best friend in middle school, she immediately grimaced and then later left my house crying; she proceeded to block me on all social media and avoided me entirely. It hurt and made it hard for me to continue to explore my identity, but I have tried out and landed on other labels since then (trans, gray-asexual, and panromantic), and, fortunately, coming out to loved ones in the future has (mostly) gone far, far better. I now have a close group of friends that are all queer, a nonbinary partner that I love deeply and that deeply loves me, and a family that supports me completely even if they don’t always understand. It can get better; there are people out there that will love you for your whole self, so find them, or let them find you. Love and acceptance is possible, finding those like you is inevitable, and feeling truly cherished is beautiful. (M/21/Transgender/queer)
Story #2209
When I came out, it was more of an accident than anything. I’d had a note in my pocket that I had written to my friend, something along the lines of “I just want you to know that I’m nonbinary, specifically agender. I’d like to be called ____ and use they/them pronouns.” I’d forgotten to give it to my friend, and it was left in my pocket for my mom to find. When she was going through the laundry, she found the paper. Being her, she read it instead of asking me what it was or giving it to me, then for some reason kept the fact she’d found it a secret for about 2 weeks. Then, one day, she called me out onto the porch and asked me about it. I confessed that yes, it was true, and that was how I felt. She refused to call me my preferred name, and used they/them pronouns for about a day before going back to she/her. That was about 3 or 4 months ago, and she still calls me she/her and my deadname. (Agender/12/Panromantic/demisexual)
Story #2166
When I came out as asexual, it was to my upperclassman friend. She was mega supportive of me, and stopped shipping me with people, because she understood it might have made me uncomfortable. I also came out to one of my best friends and she was also supportive of me, though she was suspecting that I was ace already. I currently have a girlfriend, but am not planning to come out to anyone else any time soon~ (F/15/PanAce Aroflux)
Story #2153
When I came out it was telling a friend I used to have a crush in her. “But I gave up because you were straight.” She told me she was bi, and now we’re dating, even though I’m genderfae. (Genderfae/15/Panromantic asexual)
Story #2089
When I came out I came out to my friends first, and they were all accepting and it was amazing, I’ve never come out to my parents but have been outed multiple times from them going through my phone. The most recent time they sent me to a Christian counselor to “fix” me and it hurts a lot because I want to be myself around them, and my mom always said she’d accept me no matter what, but she always gets upset when she finds out “I’m still confused.” I’m not confused, I’m Non-binary Panromantic Demisexual and proud about it, but I wish I had my parents’ support. My friends help me a lot though. (Non-binary/15/Panromantic Demisexual)
Story #2041
When I came out, it was to my mom and probably one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. I was in seventh grade when I came out to her about being gender fluid. She instantly resorted to yelling, and telling my that it was all for attention and that gender fluidity is not a real thing. The worst part is that a few hours after that, around 1 in the morning I got a call from my best friend’s parents telling me that he had taken his own life, and I can’t help but feel that I am somehow the reason that he did what he did. She also forced me to get my hair cut really short the next day. (I had been growing it long so I could look more female.) Because of her I have been to therapy to get me, as she calls it, “fixed,” 11 times. I have developed depression and anxiety from that experience. I have tried to take my life 4 times now. I have become self abusive and don’t plan to be alive for high school graduation. I just hope that no one has to go through anything like I did. (Fluid/14/Demi pan romantic)
Story #2009
When I came out, it was to my friends. I was super nervous so instead of saying that I was trans I just kind of said, “By the way, I’m a guy.” Everyone was super supportive and all of them are LGBT+. I also came out to my dance teacher and my history teacher, both of whom are very supportive. I haven’t come out to my transphobic parents yet, but I plan to come out on New Year’s as my resolution. I’m pretty nervous but also excited. (M/13/FtM/gay/panromantic)
Story #1912
When I came out, my friend said she didn’t think I was actually asexual. She said I was too young to know, and I might not have just had sexual attraction yet. That really hurt me, and I had and still have anxiety and self-doubt about my identity. My other two friends who were there accepted me, but I’m scared to come out to anyone again. (F/14/Asexual/panromantic)
Story #1907
When I came out, it was to my bi friend. She said, “If you weren’t straight, I’d totally date you.” I looked at her and said, “I’m kinda not straight lol”. Then she hugged me and called me her gayby. She’s taking me with her to pride meeting at her school. (F/Panromantic/asexual)