For most queer individuals, we started to recognize our identity when we were around 14 or 15, even if we only realize that looking back on it. There are little thoughts that only seem flamboyantly queer when you are reminiscing. For this article, I wrote it in a very sapphic way of recognizing your sexual identity, but that is only because I was assigned female at birth and I sure do love girls. However, no matter what gender(s) you are attracted to, all of these thoughts have passed through your head before, during, and after questioning.

1. "Wow, she's really pretty! Why doesn't every boy like her?"

Remember that one girl who just seemed really underappreciated in middle school? Why did none of the boys in your grade ask her to semi-formal? If you could, you would have! But of course, girls can't ask other girls out, that'd be crazy.

2. "No, I'm not gay, I just don't like immaturity"

Remember when you just couldn't understand why all your friends were crushing on such immature people? How could they lower their standards to such immature people? You were so much better than them because you didn't have a crush at all. You were so mature.

3. "Huh, I don't like anyone in my grade, I must be asexual!"

Nothing against asexuality, it's a beautiful, valid identity that has it's own diverse community and struggles within modern society, but every gay person had a moment when questioning when they'd prefer to be single than admit the truth of being some level of sexually queer.

4. "I mean, I like boys enough. I must be straight!"

Bisexuals, pansexuals, and those of flexible sexualities, I'm looking at you right now. I know I thought the same thing, but trust me, you'll be so much happier when you recognize your identity.

Also, if you are ever with someone, boy, girl, non-binary, gender queer, et cetera, and they don't accept your identity? End it.

It doesn't make a bisexual girl straight just because she's with a boy. It doesn't make a pansexual boy gay if he's with another man.

5. "Doesn't everyone think girls are pretty?"

If you are saying this while hanging up a poster of Florence Welch, I got some bad news for you. All girls are pretty, but you are finding them pretty in a much different way than all your peers are. No matter what gender you are attracted to, most queer individuals will start wondering if they are gay once they realize their attractions aren't the social norm.

6. "I'm not gay, guys, I'm just a really strong ally"

Being an ally is like dipping your toes in the gay pool. Some will realize that they should stay out of that pool, they are too straight and the water isn't for them. However, for some, after dipping our toes in, we just want to dive right in, walk in solely, or wait for awhile before going into that pool.

7. "Ah, crap. I think I might be gay"

Yep, we all had that realization. It sucks and there's no way around that. Just know, you aren't alone.

8. "I'll think about this later, I've got studying to do"

Realizing you're gay and thinking about the exact labels you want to define yourself by is a lot, and for me, I had calculus to be studying. There's a reason it takes people years to come out of the closet.

9. "Yep, I've definitely been gay since I was in second grade and crushing on every cartoon goth girl"

Everyone who was assigned female at birth who also likes girls had a crush on Shego from Kim Possible. I don't make up the rules here, people.