When I came out to my best friend, we were walking home together. I got really quiet, and she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then I said it: I am a boy. She didn’t say anything at first. Then she smiled, and asked what my name was. When I told her, she said it was beautiful, and that I was beautiful and so brave. I started crying, and she hugged me until I calmed down. She held my hand all the way home, and I remember feeling so loved. She moved away a couple months after that, but she is still one of the best friends I’ve ever had. (M/14/Transgender+Gay)
Story #2480
When I came out to my friend group, it was kinda weird. They all supported me except for two people (There are 6 people in the friend group not including me). They all said they supported me but no one actually uses my preferred name or pronouns. I’m not sure if this even counts as being out, but I guess I tried. (M/12/Transgender/gay man)
Story #2479
When first I came out, it was on accident. I was around 10-11, arguing with my mom about bisexuals/gays, and accidentally said “We’re” instead of “They’re” lol (I don’t identify as a bisexual anymore). But recently, I came out as a transguy to my close family (this is because I told the counselor I wanted to hurt myself, partly because of how I felt about my identity). I’ve been in the closet as a transguy for around two to three years now (used to identify as lesbian, then bisexual, then nonbinary, then finally transmale). But by the time I’d told my mom, I was out to my whole school, my close cousins, and even people online. She’s still having a hard time accepting now, but I’ve got it better than others. I’ve got a great support system at school (not minding the bullies) and in my close family, so I’m not as suicidal as before. (Transmale/13/Omnisexual)
Story #2478
When I came out, it was to my friend who had previously come out to me as bi, and who knew I was aroace. I casually asked her if she used trans people’s real pronouns or not, which she did. I then added on that I use my name instead of pronouns. She accepted me for who I am, which I really appreciated. I also later joined a pride group chat, and might invite my friend as well. (Trans Nonbinary Bigender [Agender and Genderfluid]/15/ Aromantic Asexual Trans Nonbinary Pangender Genderfluid Agender Bigender)
Story #2476
When I came out, it was to some friends at first. My best story is recent, and it was to a guy in my school, during our school’s camp. You see, I’m a fantasy lover, so I decided to write on a piece of paper and make it into a small scroll. I wrote down that I was trans, and explained what it meant. During snack time, I was talking to my friend, and with encouragement, I dropped it next to his water bottle when he wasn’t looking. I watched him read it, look around, and then his friend read it. Yeah, his friend read it. During a bus ride the next day, I asked them if they approved of it. His answer: “Of course! It doesn’t affect your personality and anyone who thinks it does is probably stupid.” I did come out to my parents before the school year, but they were VERY unsupportive. (Transgender Boy/12/Pansexual)
Story #2471
When I came out to my mother as nonbinary (she already knew I liked girls; this was before I figured out I was oriented aroace and liked nonbinary peeps too), she seemed okay with it and actually sort of seemed like she already suspected. My stepfather came into the same room about half way through to make a fire, and my mom just kept talking about it even though I didn’t want him to hear because he has said some questionable things about trans people in the past. He definitely heard the conversation, but didn’t comment, didn’t talk to me, and just kept sighing and rolling his eyes. He hasn’t brought it up since; in fact, he seems to call me a girl every chance he gets (practically in every sentence e.g. “You’re a smart girl…”, “Come on, girl!”, etc.), and my mom also calls me a girl and doesn’t use they/them pronouns with me. I’m still figuring out whether I should bring it up with them, come out to my stepfather properly, or if I wasn’t explicit enough. (Nonbinary-Trans and Agenspec Polygender/11/Omniaspec Enbitrix Oriented Aroace)
Story #2467
When I came out I was scared. I’ve struggled with my identity since I was 8 years old. Thankfully earlier that year my cousin came to visit and told my mother that they now use they/them and identify as nonbinary. Though my mom didn’t really understand she tried her best to be supportive and use the correct pronouns. They gave me courage to finally come out after all these years to tell her I’m a boy. She was pretty taken back and disappointed I didn’t tell her sooner but she’s trying her hardest to understand and is really supportive. I do feel guilty though as she adopted a daughter and not a son but I hope she still sees me as her child no matter what. She doesn’t use my correct name and pronouns yet but she says she wants to try and wants me to be comfortable. (TransMale/18)
Story #2466
When I came out, it was to a close friend. She had just come out to me as bisexual a week or so earlier, and I had already told them about being aroace, so I knew she was part of the community. She texted me to tell me she was actually a lesbian, and I responded cool, then I asked them what they would do about non binary pronouns. She said she would use their real pronouns, and asked, ‘hey, aren’t you nb too? I’m actually a demigirl.’ Her support also helped me tell another one of my friends. Hopefully you all can find your people who will support you. (NONBINARY/I HAVE NO GENDER ONLY RAGE/14/Aromantic Asexual Agender Nonbinary Trans [FtNB])
Story #2462
When I came out I was 16. Been many years in the making and eventually only said something because I was afraid to start college with the dead weight of my old name with me. Things aren’t perfect yet but I’m finally getting somewhere 🙂 hoping to start T in a couple months 😉 (M/18/Transgender/straight)
Story #2457
When I came out everything felt weirder. I feel like everyone I told (myself included) just tried to avoid the topic. I felt like I was half in and half out of the ‘closet’. Different people in my life responded differently and knew different amounts: my mom knew but didn’t think that nonbinary people could have gender dysphoria, my dad sort of knew but thought it was ‘just a phase’ and didn’t take me very seriously, my dad’s partner was supportive, my mom’s partner didn’t know and thought that ‘there’s no possible way that there are that many transgender people. I mean, there’s always going to be one or two, but…’, and so one. I was (and still am) so scared of rejection. I came to a point where I felt that I had ‘come out’ too much to pretend it had never happened yet too far to fully come out without making it seem like I was craving attention, or doing too much. Because I never knew how to properly come out, no one knows my full identity, just that I use they/them pronouns (sort of), that I don’t dress femininely (at least most of the time), and that I wasn’t straight (even though I never clearly stated my orientation). (Nonbinary Genderflor Genderflux Trans/11/Arospec Ace-spec Abroromantic Lesbian)