I get asked every so often how I knew I was bisexual. Just like every person on the LGBTQ+ spectrum I get asked all the time how I knew and how I came out. So I figured I would share my story in hopes of someone relating.

I guess I always knew I was into guys and girls. I would always have crushes on guys, and I would always want to be the girl. When I was around twelve I got super into gay rights. As I continued to get older, I realized I didn't necessarily want to be the girl so much as be with her. I thought it was just because I wanted everyone to be equal, but as I got older I realized it was because I wanted to be accepted no matter what I was.

When I was sixteen or so, I found a tv show called "Skins" and fell in love with the romance between Emily and Naomi. They were the first real lesbian couple I saw on TV and I was immediately obsessed with them. I loved watching them fall for each other and it was so normal. While growing up, I always knew my aunts best friend was gay, so essentially being gay was okay in our family. Thank God for him because I don't know how my family would have reacted otherwise. But I never heard of any lesbians before. It was never really talked about, let alone the concept of being bisexual.

When I was seventeen, one of the girls I was friends with decided she wanted to use me as a rebound. I wasn't clued into this until later, unfortunately. She started flirting with me and would come up and kiss me all the time for no reason. And then things got more intense and I'm not going into specifics but it was more than I was used to with anyone especially a girl.

That same year, I made a friend at Rowan and she was bisexual as well. We would hang out all day every day and we were best friends. We told each other everything and it was amazing to have someone to be that close to. Then, I realized I liked her as more than just a friend. This is the same time I accidentally came out to my mom.

How do you accidentally come out to your mom, you might ask?

It started as a joke, and then she took it seriously and pretty well. It started with her asking why I had selfies of me and my friend hanging out in bed (clothed I swear!) and I jokingly told her "Oh, I'm into girls too, haven't you figured that out?" She responded with "Ok but that means no more sleepovers."

Then, I immediately went back in the closet. Or so I tried.

She wasn't having it once I came out, almost like she might have known and was just waiting for me to tell her--and that was that. I told the rest of my family by posting it on Facebook last June for Pride Month.

I said, "Yeah guys I'm half gay."

My aunt then saw it and told my grandma. My grandma clued me in on her knowing by saying something along the lines of "So any cute guys or girls get your attention lately?"

It was nice coming out without the stress. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that luxury like I did. While my mother's side took it well and my uncle and aunt on my father's side did as well, my actual father made digs when I tried to tell him. It caused a huge fight and I couldn't understand how someone could do that, especially the father who was trying to be in my life for once.

As for my little brother, he's going to be ten in August and we laugh because I'll point out cute boys and girls to him for fun. Sometimes he gets confused and says that it's weird I like girls. Rather than get upset with him, I take the opportunity to remind him that anyone can love anyone regardless of who they are.

So to sum this long story up, I am bisexual and so freaking proud of it.

5 tips I have for someone who is LGBT+:

1. If you are young and questioning it, don't let anyone rush you into figuring it out.

2. Take your time to learn who you are!

3. If you're scared to come out, take a leap sometimes your family can surprise you.

4. Finding a tv show or movie with characters that you relate to really helps you realize who you are.

5. Being bisexual is a thing. Some of the gay community will try to shame you and say you're lying or being selfish or trying to cheat. Don't listen to them.

You are you.