I’m quite thankful that I grew up in the generation that I
did. One where not being straight isn’t seen as much as a taboo as it once was.
Oh sure, discrimination persists as it does for pretty much anything that isn’t
the norm, but when I came out as bisexual at my high school formal (in response
to a gay joke, no less), words cannot express how happy I was that went over as
well as it did. It remains one of my few memories from that time that I
wholeheartedly cherish.
But even with that said, no matter how much acceptance there
is in society for such things, it still feels
like a secret that needs to be divulged. "Coming out" is still treated as more
of an event than anything to do with heterosexuality, and at a time like high
school where one is still trying to figure out what their identity even is,
that event can feel terrifying. Even when dealing with people who you know in
your heart of hearts would welcome it.
