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 #2184
When I came out, it followed with my dad outing me to my mam and my sister. I was lucky that they were all accepting of my sexuality, but now, 3 years after, I’m still working through my feelings on being outed by someone I trusted. (NB/18/Queer)
Story #2177
When I came out I came out to my friends over text. And I was so scared but they supported me. Now most of my friends are queer and we are all heterophobic 😌 but I still have to come out to my family but idk how (Questioning/13/Queer)
Story #2097
When I came out to my parents as bi, they weren’t at all happy with it. I knew before then that they had their own opinion on the LGBTQ+ community, and on top if it, are religious. This happened when I was 13, and the backlash hurt so bad emotionally, that I immediately went back into the closet. As a 14-year-old going to be 15 in a few, I learned to definitely be aware of who I come out to first before jumping right in. I identify as Queer/Questioning now. (F/14/Queer)
Story #2053
When I came out I was at a political summer camp and I met two girls who both identified as gay. I thought they were really cool and smart and when they talked everyone listened, and I realized that being queer doesn’t stop you from being influential in politics. I talked to one of them and she hugged me and said she believed in me. On the train going home, I texted my friends this long text about how I was figuring out my sexuality. They all responded and said they loved me and I cried in the train. Pete Buttigieg dropped his campaign today and even though I am a Bernie supporter I am sad because I want a queer president so I guess I have to be the first. (F/16/Queer)
Story #2043
When I came out, or rather was outed, I was watching a video on how to come out to my family. I had accidentally hit the Cast to TV button. My dad called me and my sis down to ask us who was watching this “inappropriate” video. I tried to deny it but then the blame went to my sister so I had to admit it. I was kicked out and told to never come back, and now I’m staying with my best friend who accepts me fully for who I am. (M/18/Queer)
Story #2033
When I came out it was just yesterday. I had been coming to terms with my sexuality for quite some time and I finally could confidently look in the mirror and say, “That girl is gay.” I had been trying to tell so many of my friends for so long and then I remembered a while ago one of my friends had said one quick casual sentence about not knowing her sexuality, so me and her (she is also my crush) were at theatre practice and I told her, “I have something to tell you” and it took me so long to just spit it out, telling her, “I don’t know if it’s a phase or what but I know what I’m feeling right now, and that feeling is gay.” She immediately hugged me, said that it would be okay, then she said that she thinks she might be bi and soon we were both crying our eyes out. (F/13/Lesbian/queer)
Story #1977
When I came out I was 16 and told my best friend and my parents. Back then I came out as bisexual and everyone accepted it. My parents, though, chose to ignore it and we never talked about it again. Now I’m 19 and I identify as genderqueer and pansexual, but I don’t have any intention in telling my parents again, because I know they would “just” accept it, instead of respecting me. So I stick with telling my friends about it and trying not to talk about my gender identity with my family. This way I make sure to surround myself with people who at least try to understand what I’m feeling. (19/Queer)
Story #1950
When I came out I wrote my mum a letter. My friend S helped me write it on video chat, and we were both crying. She was saying that she was forever proud of me, and I am so grateful for her. My mum read it late in the night after I placed it. She spoke to me the next morning, and told me that she loves me for who I am, and nothing will change that. (M/21/Queer)
Story #1926
When I came out I told my mom over text, before telling my best friend and crush. Soon after, my crush (now girlfriend) kissed me at a sleepover, so now we’re dating 🙂 (F/13/Queer)