Coming to terms with your sexuality is a process and a journey that usually doesn't happen overnight. It often takes place as a gradual acceptance of who you are and eventually fully embracing it. This journey to maximum gayness can be summed up into five stages (although everyone's journey is unique.)
1. The "I Can't Believe I'm Not Straight!" Stage
The path to ultimate gayness has to start somewhere, and it begins here. You just realized you have an attraction to the same gender and you're likely terrified. You caught yourself staring at that cute person for just a little too long. What do these feelings mean? How do you get rid of them? You only binge-watched "The Ellen DeGeneres" show after school a few times! You can't be gay! Oh, but you are, and there are plenty of rainbow-filled adventures awaiting you.
2. The "Still in the Closet" Stage
At this point, you're settled on the fact that you aren't straight, but you aren't ready to let anyone else know. To most people, you're still a stick-straight heterosexual denying any ounce of gayness they suspect of you. You're so far back in the closet no one can hear you belting out the lyrics to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" or see you high-kicking during the chorus. And that's okay; you're just not ready yet. But don't fret. When you feel it's time, you will leap out of that closet and reach the next stage of gayness.
3. The "I'm Coming Out!" Stage
When you're ready to let the world know, you paint yourself in rainbow stripes and dance through the streets, ensuring everyone gains the knowledge that you are a happy homosexual. Or, more likely, you tell your family and friends and discover a group of people who love you for you. Whatever way you decide to come out, you feel great finally being your true self in front of your loved ones.
4. The "It's My First Pride Parade!" Stage
Now that you're out of the closet, you can finally attend your first ever pride parade. Rainbows, rainbows everywhere! You have never been around so much gay at one time, and you are loving it. Like a kid in a candy store, you're wide-eyed and filled with excitement over this whole knew realm of gayness you never knew existed.
5. The "Can I Get Any Gayer?" Stage
This is the final stage of coming to terms with your sexuality, and how you can hardly believe you were ever once a scared and closeted babygay. You're basking in all of your gayness and you're not afraid to let your true colors shine. You have finally realized that it gets better and it's okay to be who you are.
