When I came out, I didn’t know about the LGBTQIA+ at all. I just told my parents, “I want to be a boy” and “I’m a boy”. They didn’t believe me at first, but started to realize I actually meant it when I told my friends at school in grade 2 and 3. They were a bit confused but really supportive from grade 4 and on, when I did a presentation about it in my class. My life is going pretty great, regardless of my hated middle name and nickname, and I run a Pride Club at my school. (M/12/Demiromantic/pansexual/FtM trans)
Story #2640
When I came out, I came out by saying ‘I’m gay’. At first, it was meant to be silly and that of a funny joking matter but my all-too serious friend said, straight to my face, ‘Are you actually?’. This made my stomach do gymnastics and even though it was tough, I explained to my friend that I was pansexual and identified as bigender. My friend accepted me and promised me to keep it as a secret and respects and uses my preferred pronouns. (Bigender [She/Him]/13/Pansexual)
Story #2634
When I came out I wrote a letter to my family as I’m living away from home for university. My parents were both extremely supportive and accepting but it took a while for my brother to come around. I have told a few friends and they have all been accepting and supportive! I had known I was pansexual and trans since I was 15 and finally being out is the most liberating feeling. (MtF Trans/21/Pansexual)
Story #2632
When I came out to myself in September 2022 I thought I was Bi and then later I went to thinking I was Gay then Poly then I started to realize I wasn’t Male and identified as NB for some time then I found that I was Very Feminine so I went to thinking I was a Demi-girl then to knowing I am a Trans Female and Pansexual. And I made this because I wanted to share part of the process of Discovery that comes with being LGBTQ+ (Trans MtF/11/Pansexual)
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 #2617
When I came out my parents just said it’s a phase and kind of just ignored me and my life. I had to celebrate pride month closeted. It hasn’t really gotten better. (F/13/Pansexual)
Story #2611
When I came out, me and my older cousin, who was also closeted, decided to come out at the same time. We went to the family room and I told my family that I was pansexual and they accepted me. My cousin, on the other hand, was faced with discrimination and disgust, for they came out as non-binary. My family erupted in an argument and after a few weeks, my older cousin came to live with us. Now, me and my cousin spend every single day together and enjoy each other’s company. (M/12/Pansexual)
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 #2604
When I came out to my best friend it was mainly to ask their advice about wearing a binder safely. I trusted they’d provide a safe space for me without judgment, but because I was only just starting to really explore and admit these feelings to myself, I had convinced myself I’d never be believed; that I must be some kind of imposter because I’ve always presented so femme. Since then I’ve come out to one more friend as well, and both of them have stunned me with how affirming they were — it seems they knew before I even really did! I feel like it’s enough for me to have their support for now — I can wait before coming out to more difficult people such as my family, it just means the world to me to have one or two friends who truly support me expressing and exploring my gender fluidity. (AFAB/29/Bi/pan)