Coming out

Ever since I was young, I knew there was something peculiar about me, but not in the traditional sense. No, not because I liked to dye my hair different colors, or because I was obsessed with Zac Efron. I was different because I was romantically attracted to boys and girls.

From the time I was in second grade, I was always perplexed on how children my age were only limited to like someone of a different gender. I always had this impression that everyone could love anyone, in a romantic way, no matter what the gender was.

You see, this came naturally to me; it wasn’t a great slap in the face or a transformation when the full moon came out. It was simply something that was always there, and I didn’t find anything abnormal about it.

My first realization that I was bisexual was when my feelings for my best friend arose. She always made me feel safe and happy when I was around her.

I did not find these emotions peculiar or embarrassing, nor did I question them because, ultimately, they made me who I am. However, I slowly started to observe how not everybody else thought this way.

In middle school, my friends would constantly ask me what boy I liked, or if I would ever be interested in having a boyfriend. “Why don’t you ask me if I like any girls?” I would ask, expecting an honest answer. Instead, they would observe me awkwardly, unable to answer.

It came to a point where they would ignore and avoid me.

After some research on my sexuality, I finally came to terms that I was bisexual. I was proud of who I was and was eager to let the whole world know; however, the world was unenthusiastic about my discovery.

My peers would constantly avoid me, refusing to acknowledge I even existed. I started losing my friends, and people started to talk behind my back. My self-esteem lowered, and I was not happy with myself.

However, once I arrived to high school, the way people treated me changed for the better. That year, I decided I was going to be confident. I did not care what people thought of me any longer because I was satisfied with myself. I came out to everyone, and they responded with a positive reaction.

Being bisexual might be a huge part of my life, but it is not the only thing that defines me. I’m an English major who copy edits at the student newspaper. I love to run and work out as much as I can. I enjoy volunteering and constantly helping people out. My sexuality does not make me any different than anybody else.

I am not “different” because of who I love.