Coming out to family and friends is a huge step (or series of baby steps). Whether you tell everyone or just a few people you trust, one thing’s for sure: Preparation is key.
Your situation is unique, and each conversation will depend on the kind of relationship you have with the person you’re telling. Here are some tips to help guide you:
Who in your life do you think will be the most supportive? Start by coming out to them first, so you can get comfortable talking about it. As you get more practice, you can move on to the people you may be more nervous about telling.
Pro-tip: Ask a family member or friend you’ve already told to be there for support.
Let the person know in advance that you have something important to tell them. It will put them in the right frame of mind to hear your news, and you won’t feel like you’re bringing the topic up out of the blue when you meet.
Bringing it up is the hardest part. If you’re not comfortable saying, “Hey! I’m trans,” we get it. Just speak from your heart about how you feel. Once you get it out, the rest of the conversation should hopefully get easier.
Remember, you’ve been thinking about this way longer than anyone else. It might be new news to some people and they may need time to process. Just keep in mind, initial reactions don’t always reflect how people will feel in the long run. If you need more support, check out our helpful resources below.
Your friends and family are bound to have questions. So instead of hosting a Q&A about your identity (unless you want to), we’ve created something to do the talking for you.
Want more guidance on the process? We’ve got you covered.