The Closet Let Me Feel Anything and Everything
Closets suck, generally speaking, but sitting in mine gave me joy. This is a coming out story that doesn’t neatly fit in the queer community, much less my own mind.
Controlling the Image: Obsessive Compulsion and the Closet
“When I asked my friends from high school if they remembered me ever mentioning my records, most of them had no idea. Just as most of them had no inkling of my queerness before I finally came out.”
Coming Out 101: The Autostraddle Guide
We’ve got tips, personal essays (the bad and the good), roundtables, advice, and everything you need to come out as a lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans or whatever YOUR TRUTH may be.
National Coming Out Day Trivia Quiz: A Thing You Can Take If You Feel Ready
Celebrate National Coming Out Day by taking this trivia quiz! You might even learn a little something.
16 Iconic Coming Out Moments to Celebrate on National Coming Out Day
Here’s to the lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, queer, trans and free-ass-motherfucker celebrities who opened the closet door a little wider when they walked out of it.
You Are Not the Only Queer Christian, I Swear to God
That’s what friendships with queer and trans Christians have taught me: it is blessed indeed to want more, more of everything, more love and more gender and more faith and more life.
The Nothing Between Your Legs
“She’s a tomboy,” your mother says, frustrated. “I’m sure she’ll grow out of it when she gets interested in boys.” “More dolls,” repeats Mrs. Morris. They plan to doll this little problem out of you.
The Top 5 Sheet Masks to Wear After Crying About Your Gender
I feel like I am not the only one here crying about my gender, and you should know a) that you’re not alone and b) sheet masks can help.
You Need Help: You’re Not Sure If You’re a Boy and Gender Is Hard
“A lot of the narrative about gender questioning at large is about tragedy, about what we lose. I encourage you (even though I know it’s challenging) to think about your gender from a different angle. What makes you feel affirmed?”
You Need Help: You’re Gay but Oh No You’re Falling for a Man, What the F*ck
“How does one successfully navigate such a dramatic shift in a long-held and cherished identity?! Is it possible to have relationships with men devoid of internalized homophobia, misogyny, etc? Is it worthwhile to tell this person how I feel — could I possibly expect anyone to navigate all this baggage with me?”
Relearning How To Dress Myself From The Closet I Came Out Of
I feel the need to do something to the outside of my body to mark the tremendous shift I’ve experienced inside — to somehow match my inner self to my outer self. But I’m not sure who my inner self is anymore.
You Need Help: Coming Out as Non-Binary in High School
“It’s common to want to tell everyone about your newfound realization about your identity, so that you can feel like you’re living authentically and with integrity. But you get to do whatever feels best to you!”
Trans Day of Visibility Roundtable: Letters to the Trans People Who Shaped Us
“You make me proud to be Mexican, proud to be fat, proud to be queer and proud to be trans. You make me proud to be myself. I love you and thank you.”
Not Just Murder Victims: A Plea on Trans Day of Visibility
“If we are going to mourn our lost trans siblings, family and community members publicly, we need to do right by our community and contextualize their deaths with accuracy and intention.”
You Need Help: Reacting to Misgendering in Public
“Why can’t I just let it roll off me? And do you think there’s a way to react that might make the situation a little less miserable for me?”
What It Means To Call Ourselves Non-Binary: An Autostraddle Roundtable
Non-binary does not mean the same thing to a single one of us. We’re all super nervous to talk about it in public, though!
You Need Help: Coming Out When Your Girlfriend Is Amazing but Your Family Super Isn’t
“I feel like I’m lying to my my parents, hiding part of myself, and disrespecting my girlfriend by constantly avoiding mentioning her or referring to her as my friend when my parents ask what’s going on in my life. Of course, I know coming out can be difficult in general, but I’m wondering if you have any advice for coming out in the context of a toxic family relationship? How can I best protect myself from the inevitable insults, yelling, and criticism while still being honest?”
You Need Help: What Should You Do With Your One Wild and Precious Life?
Queer time moves differently than regular time; we’re on our own schedule; we exist outside the rigidity of the patriarchal space-time continuum.
Rosa Diaz’s Big Coming Out on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” Was Bittersweet — and Specifically Bisexual
Rosa’s full coming out on Brooklyn Nine-Nine is rocky and bittersweet, incorporating uniquely bisexual experiences to cement itself as a uniquely historic TV moment.
Y’All Need Help #15: With a Face as Deadpan as the Aubrey Plaza Sea
Checking on your ex, being honest with coworkers, being honest with everyone including yourself, and pulling yourself out of a year-long sad thing! Come help give advice!!