When I came out to my best friend I thought I’d regret it immediately. I was terrified it would be a “not in my backyard” situation. It’s scary thinking these things will change the entire way someone sees you, more than the physical but your entire sense of self and your soul, in their eyes. I wasn’t going to tell her until after her wedding. She had made me Maid of Honour. What was I gonna be now? But the wedding is over a year away and my feelings about my gender keep getting stronger, and I just couldn’t do this to myself anymore. When I told her, she hugged me as I cried, and one of the first things she said was “we’ll pick a new title for you for the wedding if you want”, which just made me cry even harder. (Transmasc/bigender/30/Bi/pan)
Story #2707
When I came out to my family, I was scared. I gave half-truths. “Would you accept me if I dated a man? How do you feel about my transfem friend?” Only after months of subtle questions did I, at 20 years old, finally admit to them: I am a woman. (F/29/Trans Fem/Pansexual/Lesbian)
Story #2705
When I came out to my school it was in 4th grade. I got bullied through 5th grade, but finally when I reached 6th grade the bullying stopped. I just recently came out to my mom and she said, “That’s good to know when you’re young” 😳 (Genderfluid/12/Pansexual)
Story #2649
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)