When I came out, I was 12 when I told my friends that I was trans, and they said, “Oh that’s cool” but still always called me a girl and used my birth name. I told my parents on the 4th November 2018 and they kicked me out of the house. I’m back home now though, and my mom’s coming around, although my step-dad thinks it’s a massive joke (he thinks the same about my anxiety and depression). I suffer with really bad dysphoria but I haven’t self-harmed since 12th October and I’m very proud of myself. I now get called my preferred name and pronouns at school but my peers are transphobic and bully me. (Male [FtM]/13/Heterosexual)
Story #1967
When I came out I walked up to my parents and was like, “I’m a girl.” They weren’t the most supportive (read: super transphobic), but my cousins and sister made up for it by using my preferred pronouns. As soon as I told them, it felt like a weight that had been on my chest after I had come out to my parents had been lifted off, and I hope to be openly transgender soon. (F/12/Lesbian)
Story #1962
When I came out in 1974, when I was 9, I was watching a documentary about a Transsexual woman when I realised what I was. I told my mum, who said, “Talk to your father.” He was a homophobe, and I was very scared. I kept my feelings inside for many years, also because I preferred girls over boys, so I was so confused. This is my second time around living as a Female. (Trans Female/54/TransBian)
Story #1919
When I came out my teachers were so much more accepting than my actual genetic family, so I actually started to call my teachers “mom” and “dad”, and when one of them asked about it I started sobbing and telling them how my family didn’t wan’t me to be a trans man and still like men, they wanted me to be a straight female cheerleader like my sister. Eventually my mom started to come around, but even to this day we’re still working on it. If you’re wondering, I was 12 when I first came out and started being myself in my comfortable form. My dad still thinks that I’m faking it for attention, as do some of the kids in my grade (I’m now in 9th grade). To any of the other trans kids whose parents aren’t completely accepting: I know that this is going to be just about the only thing that you’ll hear from other trans role models, but it does get better. Before my family accepted me, we had a lot of tension, and we still do, but it’s up to you whether you’re going to take the initiative and help your family understand that it isn’t a phase. It is not for attention. You are you, and no matter how much they might wish you weren’t, they can never change you. (M/14/Gay)
Story #1904
When I came out to my mum as a trans man she told me that nobody will love a woman without breasts and she didn’t want me to talk about it. She denied my gender Identity even until the moment of her death. She told my father, who said that if I was happy then everything was okay. My friends took it well and my family too. (FtM/27/Pansexual)
Story #1902
When I came out I was in the car with my dad. He asked me why I was so down all the time. I replied that I felt that I was born in the wrong body. He said he was supportive at first but turned out to be horribly transphobic. My mom is the only supportive family member (that knows, anyway). Now in school I’m starting to use my preferred name more and it has helped a lot. (Trans FtM/15/Pan)
Story #1895
When I came out it was with two friends. One of them even came out as pan! I felt a huge weight lifted off my chest. I also have to get something off my chest. I think I’m trans. I could never tell my parents this. It feels so good to come out a third time with people like me! So does this count as coming out with all of you? (FTM?/13/Bi/gay?)
Story #1888
When I came out at this Youth Group I was asking a leader for help. She and I were looking for something long and straight to use to help draw straight lines in. So while looking I said to her, “The reason I need your help, is because I can’t seem to do anything straight! Even be straight!” which she laughed and found a funny way of me telling her I’m bi. (Trans FtM/17/Bisexual)
Story #1841
When I came out as a transgender boy to my dad, he said, “So you’re a lesbian?” (M/18/Bi)
Story #1849
When I came out it was when I was in the Army and it was shortly before Obama allowed trans people to serve openly. My retention NCO was trying to keep me from ETSing and was trying to get me to sign an extension. He asked me what it would take for me to extend my service and I told him I was trans. It apparently didn’t click in his head what I meant because he said I was going to go to school to be a combat engineer and to not worry about me being a transportation operator. After going back and forth several times that I am trans he finally realized what I saying by just saying, “Ooh” in a very embarrassed way. (Transfemale/28/Transgender MtF)