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)
Story #1828
When I came out, I was 13. I told my friends first that I was queer and they were all fine with it because they are too. I told my parents in a letter and they were accepting, although they think it might just be a phase. Then I came out as transgender (FtM) and again, my friends were fine with it and immediately adapted to using my pronouns and name. However, my parents were not accepting and refuse to acknowledge my identity. It hurts, but I’m 14 now and I’ll be out of the house in 4 years anyways. (FtM/14/Transgender/queer)
Story #1801
When I came out I was 14. I have a close friend-group that are all queer and really open-minded, so it was easy to tell them. However, my family was another story. I had a whole plan on how to come out, but in the end it wasn’t necessary, because my mother already knew, so I kind of just blurted everything out. My mom is accepting and supports me, but my sister and step-dad are very conservative, but I know they’ll come around. (Trans[FtM]/15/Asexual [aromantic])
Story #1746
When I came out I had no clue what to expect from my family. My dad didn’t care when I came out as bi but went on a religious rant when I came out as trans about how it wasn’t true and I was wrong. He still does that along with my stepmom. My mother took it really well and is really supportive of me, and i’m truly grateful to have her in my life. (F/16/Bi/Trans)