National Coming Out Day

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Today in the US is National Coming Out Day!

If you are out, what was coming out like? For me, I don't think I ever really had a "hey, I'm not straight," conversation and just kind of live my life and hope people get the hint.

If you're not out, do you want to come out? Please make sure you are safe to do so before you come out, your safety is incredibly important.

Whether you are out or not, remember that you are loved and valid. There will always be people who love and care about you. You can do this. <3

Originally Posted by Wheek!

For me, I don't think I ever really had a "hey, I'm not straight," conversation and just kind of live my life and hope people get the hint.

This is me too I just carry on and try not to engage in certain conversations that goes against my whole not-being-straight. I stopped watching a certain TV show on my favorite network because the main host (who is gay himself) exhibits strong -phobic tendencies and that is a serious trigger.

I do what I can avoid my triggers and honestly, the topics I prefer to avoid — with the exception of that show, which is really silly since it's a family-friendly network; not alluding to the guy's homosexuality — are just never really brought up. I think my nuclear family understands it; they never ask when I'll get a significant other or marry.

They're always buying me clothes or other accessories in my pride color scheme.

[Everglow.]

I've only really 'come out' to a couple of people, mainly my closest friends. I'm very open about being aromantic and asexual, but sometimes having a conversation about it ends up being a Q&A and as much as I don't mind answering questions and educating people, sometimes it's a pain to have the same conversations over and over. Mostly, I just tell people I have no interest in dating or marriage and that I'm happy on my own! My friends are so supportive though. They know I don't care if people know I'm not straight, so they're free to tell people and when they do they always answer the questions for me or come to me if they're ever unsure.

I've had to come out a couple of times, once as not-straight and, fifteen years later, as not-cis. Coming out as not-straight was much easier. I was a teen at the time and everyone I was friends with, and my immediate family, were supportive. I say "not-straight" specifically because my sexuality has changed a lot over the years. Started out as bi but now identify as queer. I was lucky to have support from loved ones, as well as local resources in general.

Coming out as not-cis was a different story. My friends and chosen family were incredibly supportive, as was my sister, but my parents took some time to warm up to the idea. They honestly still struggle a lot, but they are getting better about using the proper pronouns and my name. I appreciate their effort, but it still hurts that they could accept me for being something other than straight, but are more resistant to the idea I am not the gender I was assigned at birth. It just feels a bit like in their minds they still see me as a person I am not, and in some ways it makes my relationship with them a little strained, though they probably don't realize this. All in all, though, I feel supported and grateful to have that support, regarding both my sexuality and gender identity.

[Dawn.]

I love this day!