I've said it countless times and I'll say it again: I'm gay, queer, a lesbian. I like girls. I'm currently dating a girl. With that settled, here are 5 things I've dealt with because of my sexuality.

1. Coming Out

My whole process of coming out isn't a very interesting story. The first person I came out to was my best friend (thanks Jordan) and she was the most supportive person. I was forced to come out the first time before I was really ready but I was accepted without any problems.

I didn't officially come out until this year. Coming out is a life long process. There are new people that I have to tell all the time. For instance, at my new job, I will eventually tell my coworkers and there will probably be one person who will be uncomfortable with it.

I also have to deal with people who think that, since I'm their friend, they now have a free pass to ask me very personal questions about my queerness or to ask me if I know *insert other member of LGBT community*. News flash, I don't know every gay person out there just because I'm gay.

2. PDA

Hear me out! I'm not saying that I should have the right to totally be gross with my girlfriend in public, but sometimes walking down the street I'm scared to hold her hand or kiss her on the cheek because we don't know who's watching and, if one wrong person sees us, it could be disastrous. All I want is to be able to hold her hand and not be scared.

3. My Wardrobe

You know what I get all the time? "But you don't look gay!!" What the hell does gay look like? I'm sorry I forgot to wear my rainbow morph suit today. Say it with me: "Sexuality is not determined by what one wears." Sometimes I do dress "more gay" in the sense that I wear boys clothes and sometimes I like to wear skirts. I have long hair and I will probably never cut it all off into a pixie cut. However, I am just as gay as Ellen DeGeneres

4. Losing Friends

Although I can't specifically name one person that has completely dropped me for being gay, I do know of people who don't like to associate themselves with me anymore because of it. Here's a piece of advice: If someone cannot love you because of who you love, then they don't deserve to be in your life.

5. Straight Crushes

It happens to the best of us. Your best friend who you've known for years one day looks a little differently. They're suddenly the most attractive being on the planet and you can't stop thinking about them. One day, you finally get the courage to tell them how you really feel and your heart is racing waiting in anticipation for their response, only to be told that they don't feel the same way. It breaks you. It may be your first heartbreak. It's terrible and real. What is most frustrating is that you know there's nothing you can do to change it. No matter how hard you try.