School records can be wrong. So while I considered the "F" next to "Gender" in my gradebook and attendance app, I also considered the vests, the close-cut hair, the chosen nickname, and last year's work founding our rural school's first Gay-Straight Alliance.

I had never asked anyone before (never had call to, really), but I felt like I should, and after wrapping up a one-on-one discussion of writing process, I did.

"By the way, I certainly don't want to pry, and I hope you don't mind my asking. What are your preferred pronouns?"

A quiet moment. A blink or so.

"You know, no one's ever asked me that before. Thank you... I prefer 'he,'" he said.

On Prose, I'm very open about my asexuality, as most of you wonderful people support me and are incredibly nice! However, in reality, I'm closeted at home and only out with friends and at school. The time I tried to tell my family, they didn't believe me and that I was labelling myself.

"You just haven't met the right guy yet."

"You're only fifteen, it's too early to label yourself."

I just nodded and smiled like that perfect girl they wanted. The perfect girl I couldn't be. It made me sad to think that they didn't understand, so I decided not to mention being biromantic because I wanted the convorsation to be over.

The next week one of my best friends called me, also a LGBTQ+ member, but they're very out and confident with their sexuality. They said: "Hey, want to come to pride with me? It'll be a lot of fun!" I wanted to so badly, but I wasn't sure how to ask, so I did. My parents said it was fine, under the impression that I was just hanging out with my friend there, which was true.

So, I went. And it was one of the best desicions I'd ever made. It was astonishing how much support there was and how many others like me were there. It gave me hope that one day I could come here completely out and accepted. I know It'll probably be a while and will take time for me to come out again, but honestly, that's fine. I want to be ready when I try again.

So, if you ever doubt yourself or are feeling down, remember you're not the only one. I'm here for you and everyone else because it takes time to be accepted and even longer sometimes to accept yourself. So, just keep you're head up high because you're all perfectly imperfect in your own ways!

YOU

ARE

VALID!

And most importantly...

YOU

ARE

LOVED!

When people see me, they think I’m a basic emo girl. They think I’m the silent, shy type who does well in school and doesn’t have very many friends. But they’re wrong. I’m not your basic emo girl, hell, I wouldn’t call myself emo. The thing that sets me apart from the rest of the world is not my blonde hair, my blue green eyes or the fact that I prefer hoodies and black leggings over a crop top and shorts that barely cover my ass. What sets me apart is the fact that I like women and I like men. I’m shy because I don’t want anyone to find that out and use it against me because it’s something I own. It’s part of my identity and I don’t want that to be taken away. I have a few friends who know this about me and I trust them with that little part of me. One time, we were doing karaoke in band, and my friend points at me and jokingly sings along “Hey Baby, I wanna know if you’ll be my girl.” My best friend was like “Woah, that’s a little weird” and we got in a discussion about how LGBTQ+ should or shouldn’t be a thing. His stance is rooted in Christianity, his claim is that it’s wrong, but he’s not going to go around preaching to the world how wrong it is and whatnot. I asked him if he knew what I was, to which he responds “Of course I know. But that doesn’t make me think any less of you.” I wanted to cry right then and there as his words gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, we have a chance at being loved for who we are. Maybe one day, we’ll won’t be scared to come out of the shadows and claim that part of our identities that we have been hiding for so long...

Being bi is the best experience of my life so far because it teaches me to love myself for who I am. It teaches me to let go of all of the nasty opinions I had of people and to form better ones. It has taught me to be empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of others because it is what I would like to see. Every time a rainbow shows up after a rainstorm, I remember who I am. That rainbow symbolizes my beauty, that I can be a vibrant beauty that stands out as if to say “I am here, look at me!” or I can be faded, seen only be those who look close enough.

It is a sin they say

To love whomever you may,

Bisexuality isn't just a phase

It is a part of life's race

It is something you must face

And learn to acknowledge and love

It is like the purest dove

That floats in the pond

With all those self proclaimed 'normal' people hating on you

For, It is a sin they say

To love whomever you may.

Dopamine makes us happy, but lets us be needy (joy). Oxytocin makes us have babies, but also lets us embrace (joy). Prolactin makes us produce milk, but also lets us bond (joy). All love plays out with neurotransmitters. It’s the way we are. Thus, no love is faulty. It’s written in our genes, and it’s a good thing. It's written in the stars, because we're made of the same stuff. Love: "He saw that it was good." No argument there.

☀️

it was a beautiful day

matter fact, i think it was may...

when i left with tears in my eyes, nothing more to say

when i left, finally deciding to live life my own way

it was a beautiful day

my heart was broke, so i’d make you pay

it was a beautiful day

no, the sky wasn’t gray

it was a beautiful day...

when i told you i was gay

a/n: coming out isn’t always easy and neither is staying in. no matter what side you’re on, please know that you matter! i’m not going to promise, but i am going to guarantee that it gets better! closets don’t stay dark forever

Straight

Is just a temporary state.

Stare long enough,

And you'll learn to appreciate.

Join the club.

Become one of the greats.

Better watch that flannel,

You've opened the gates.

Wear a big smile,

You joined the rainbow, mate.

It's all about love,

Not about hate.

If you fall in love,

Must've been fate.

You saw the colors,

You took the bait.

Are you happy now?

In such a gay mental state?

Were you ever hetero?

That's up for debate.

Stick with us, friend.

A community you'll create.

Clear away that label,

Wipe off that slate.

Be happy, be gay.

Don't be irate.

Sooner or later,

You'll go on a date.

And don't worry, baby gay,

It won't be second rate.

So, enjoy being straight...

It's only temporary...

It's armor that I wear,

for the identity I bear.

My ripped jeans and

shaved hair, the swagger

exaggerating each step

and yes, I'm aware

of what I look like,

thank you for noticing.

You'd think I'd get tired

of the words and long stares.

But honestly, I love this

power I've reclaimed.

Clothes as armor, my

smile is fanged. You think

you can scare the freedom

out of me?

Walk a mile in my shoes.

I'd like to see how you fair.