You're going to come out so much in the course of your life (in college, on dates, when you meet new people, etc.), and each time you do, you get to define where you are with your identity in that moment. Your feelings might change, and they might not.Ĭoming out for the first time can feel so final, but it's actually not the end (it's just the beginning!). As long as you're listening to yourself, you can't go wrong. And ever since that day, there have been a million more steps as I've acquired more language to describe myself and my identity.
What's truly beautiful about being in the LGBTQ community is that it is so expansive. If you're thinking that you might be gay, then know that you have a whole built-in support group of wonderful and diverse people who are just waiting to meet you. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're thinking you might be gay: You're not alone. You can't ask a teacher or a parent or your best friend or Google or even Seventeen and get a "yes" or a "no." And while it would be so nice to shake a magic 8 ball and get some clarity here, it's actually crucial for you to come to the answer all on your own. Why? Because it's a question only you can answer. "Am I gay?" It sounds like such a simple question, but finding the answer can be so much trickier than you might think.