When I came out as trans at 10 years old, my mom told me that I was just depressed. I had recently had an early start to puberty, and my developing chest had inspired a new and profoundly dysphoric discomfort with my body. Because I had never met another trans person, never heard of it being a possibility, I didn’t have the words to fully describe what I was feeling, and as a result I wasn’t able to properly express what I was experiencing. She told me that everyone hates themselves during puberty and it was just a combination of my hormones and my genetic predisposition to mental illness. It would pass, she said. I was wrong, she said. I went back into the closet for another two years, and when I tried to refind my identity I remembered what she said and for a long, long time I was so afraid of being wrong that I refused to admit I was a man. I cycled through a million identities, sets of pronouns, before I finally decided that no one knew me better than me and announced to the world at 16 that I was a man and nothing was going to change that. My mom came around eventually and now I’m 18 and 5 months on hormones. Things got better, but it was hard. (FtM/18)
Story #2494
When my parents found out I was lesbian they freaked out and said they would no longer love me and God would never ever love me again and I was heartbroken. That was last year when I was 12. I’m 13 now and I still think about that, and to this day I still try to end it all but something stops me. I can’t imagine what they would say if I told them I wanted and felt that I’m a boy not a girl, but I can’t bring myself to it. So for now I’m just a disappointment to the family, but if they ever found out I was trans I would be the laughingstock of the family.
Story #2488
When I came out I was 16. My family looked like their whole life died in one single moment. I was kicked out of my home and every time I tried to go back my dad will try to shoot me with his gun, which he shoot a bullet through my leg once. But now I’m doing better. I have a lover who is trans male like me and we adopted two lovely kids. (M/22/Trans/pansexual)
Story #2485
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)