Actually Ace

Before age 11: [deadname], never heard of lgbtq, not thinking abt pronouns or labels but ig cishet, she/her ig??

Age 11: [deadname]/[nickname], heard of gay and lesbian, still not rly thinking abt labels, cishet still ig, she/they

Age 12: [deadname]/[nickname], learns more abt lgbtq, asexual, idkromantic, cis girl ig, she/they

Nearly 13: [nickname], starts questioning nonbinary/agender, questioning sexuality, they/them

Age 13: [old preferred name], questioning nonbinary, aroace cupioromantic, they/them

Later age 13: [old preferred name], settles on agender, aroace cupioromantic, they/xe (later goes back to they/them for afew mths)

Current (14): Rowan, agender, aroace, omni-alterous, aegosexual, they/he/any neos

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under 12: barely knew much about the LGBTQ community or labels as I was sheltered and my dad was homophopic. I was told I was not allowed to be queer.

age 12: made queer friends, started being more comfortable being myself which included dressing the way I liked and not 'masking any possible queerness'. EVERYONE assumed I was a lesbian but I denied it.

age 13: bought my first binder but wasn't even questioning my gender identity. I just wore it to feel more comfortable. Was experiencing quite a bit of dysphoria

age 14: questioning my gender and sexuality. This was a turbulent year for me. Wondered about being trans for a while but settled on nonbinary. Dad reformed, learned more about LGBTQ, and said my sexuality didn't matter (he actually asked if I was dating my friend lol). I felt more comfortable delving into my sexuality, and came to terms with the fact I like girls. Told my friends who all said 'I told you so" also dyed my hair blue and got asked if I also had 'pronouns'

early 15: dated a boy and felt nothing leading me to assume I was aroace.

late 15: I now realise I am definitely not aroace. I go with pansexual with a current preference for girls. More specific non-binary label of agender. I'm out to my friends an use they/them :)

"Dan and Phil"

-anonymous