13. Have you ever questioned your gender or sexual identify?
Definitely! I was a super ālate bloomerā as far as romantic attraction went (I currently consider myself queer and somewhere in the ace spectrum).
In high school I had some attraction to both male and female individuals but my attraction never seemed to fit the way other young girls described their crushes. I desperately wanted the attention of those I liked. I wanted their eye contact and kind words and a pat on the shoulder, but I didnāt desire kisses or sexual things. I was worried I was ānot rightā and made up a fake boy crush for conversations where pushy girls wouldnāt stop teasing and asking questions. Looking back, I honestly think I was just incredibly and deeply lonely.
During a long phase of attraction to a girl the year above me, I worried about being lesbian. My parents are gay and at the time there was massive political discussion about the rights of gay families and the morality of gay people having kids. I was really worried how my being gay would reflect upon my family. Many anti-gay people feared that gays would āturn their kids gayā and that it would be a horrible thing if queer families raised queer kids.
At this point in my life, my sexuality doesnāt really play a big part of my daily life and it doesnāt cause me worry or stress. I approach my sexuality without labels (I sometimes use queer, in the vaguest of ways) and allow for/expect it to change overtime.

















