We’re hearing a lot more coming out stories lately with happy endings – stories about parents loving and accepting their children for who they are no matter what, and wanting nothing more than for them to be happy in the life that they’re leading.

Which means we’re also getting some amazing pictures of these LGBTQ people in their childhood. These moments, captured forever on film, are likely why their parents weren’t all that shocked at the coming out – they’d literally had years to rehearse their responses.

The images were originally submitted to a blog called Born This Way that provides a community for LGBTQ people as they talk about what it was like growing up gay or queer.

#18. “Back when I wanted to be a ‘fixer’ and my wardrobe consisted mainly of cargo pants and dragon T-shirts. I’m currently sitting here in basketball shorts and a Spiderman T-shirt, so I really shouldn’t judge younger me’s fashion sense. I think exactly no one was surprised when I came out.”

#17. “Think this about sums it up…”

#16. “Walking and already fabulous.”

#15. “1992: I used to build shelves with my dad, but only while wearing my Mickey construction shirt and with stamps on my arms to represent tattoos. Grew up to be very gay.”

#14. “My Halloween costume when I was in fifth grade! I wanted to be a girl that year so bad. I was 10… and somehow my family didn’t catch on! Lol.”

#13. “I’m the sassy lion in the front.”

#12. “When I was a little boy, I was allowed to play with dolls. After I came out to my family I asked my mom why she let me and she simply said ‘You wanted them so bad and I wanted to make you happy.’ Clearly from my face you can tell I was happy.”

#11. “Here’s my baby lesbian picture circa 1999. I was really hoping my parents would use this as a headshot, I still don’t know why they didn’t.”

#10. “Me: I’m gay. / Parents: What? No you’re not.”

#9. “I would vacuum the carpet while wearing this. And I called myself Jeanette. #DragQueenAspirations

#8. “Me around 4 or 5, dancing to Whitney Houston’s ‘Queen of the Night.’ I still love that song.”

#7. “What can I say? I have a flair for the dramatics.”

#6. “I brokebacked before Brokeback.”

#5. “I look so fucking stoked. Transguy who still now wears a leather jacket and killer glasses.”

#4. “I don’t quite remember why I did this, but I mean…I wasn’t mad, check out that smile.”

#3. “I’ve always wondered why my parents thought I was gay. Now I know why…”

#2. “Came across this picture a couple years ago and couldn’t quite believe it. I’ll let it speak for itself. #babybutch”

#1. “Very embarrassed I wasn’t wearing Andrew Christian briefs.”

h/t: Buzzfeed

Check these out before you go!

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20 Foods from Your Childhood That You Will Never Taste Again

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