I didn’t know what anything was at that age, but I thought other girls were pretty in a way that I realize now was pretty darn gay starting around 11 or 12. I kissed my first girl at summer camp as a preteen, had a girlfriend 15-17 and had crushes on both boys and girls before and since then.

I’m really glad who I liked was not a big deal either way to my parents when they found out. I worried for a long time that they would be disappointed (they’re religious) but after years of “sleepovers” and weeklong vacations to see both male and female “best friends” in high school and college, I was an idiot to think they didn’t have an inkling. Anyway, they didn’t care a bit and I feel very lucky!