I played sports casually, but I didn’t like sports enough. Imagine how today’s society would respond if heterosexual thirteen to nineteen-year-olds were forced to date someone of the same sex. Straight Relationships Don’t Feel Fully Aligned
You may have dated the alternative sex, but something always felt off, like you were acting.
Many young homosexuals hold prejudiced beliefs about homosexuals that they've learned from their communities, families, and religions. I just had a heavy walk.
My mother’s anger reinforced the idea that being gay was bad. If you often feel emotionally disconnected, disinterested in intimacy, or like you’re performing, it could be more than just a bad match.
4.
It is a question I asked myself a lot as a child, but not one I’ve cared to ask in my adult years.
This is primarily due to personal growth. I didn’t play for a school. What would the reaction be if they were expected to hold the hand or slow dance with, hug, kiss and say “I love you” to someone to whom they were not and could not be sexually attracted?
The public would be outraged!
It just means the journey is emotional. While sexuality is often politicized and is a hot-button topic due to some people's religious and cultural indoctrination, psychologists have now understood sexuality to be a trait that occurs as a result of genetics and/or early childhood development. Repeatedly asking Am I Gay? As your questions deepen, you may start to notice more than just curiosity, especially in the way you connect emotionally with others
2.
I try to be understanding and fair in all situations and they know this. You may notice yourself getting butterflies or longing for closeness.
3. You’re Emotionally Drawn to Same-Gender People
Even if it’s not romantic or sexual at first, feeling a deep emotional connection or admiration for same-gender people might spark self-reflection.
It is that subconscious thought that gay is bad that allows lawmakers to move with minimum pushback, and sometimes even worse, support.
In case no one has told you lately, it doesn’t matter how others perceive you. Also, you’ve learned that some folks don’t like blue people, so it’s a lot safer to just pretend you’re green.
I am reminded of the words of Brian McNaught, a sex educator and author of Now That I’m Out What Do I Do?, who puts into perspective what happens to a young LGBT person's development:
“...
In many cases, they’ll most likely be told that this isn’t proper behavior. Sexuality can evolve.
Some people know at 13, others at 30.
Some are fluid.
Some don’t label at all.
Instead of asking, “Am I gay? I then spent several years ignoring bible verses and monologues about why being gay was bad.
In my classroom
I view myself as traditionally masculine.
Even though he was in his 20s when on The Bachelor, he claimed to have still been a virgin, never having found the “right one.” Compartmentalization like this is common in a culture where children only have permission to explore heterosexuality and being cisgender.
Compassion Instead of Criticism
Of course, acceptance of homosexuality varies from region to region.
If not, budding affections and erotic interests will likely compete with what you are taught your identity is. I often have LGBT students confide in me because they think I am gay.
I’m happy that whatever energy I give off allows them the courage to speak to me.
I’ve never thought to ask why I’m often perceived as gay, but I am sometimes offered unsolicited reasons.
my voice (I guess it is not as deep as a traditionally masculine voice)
my empathy
the way I dress (apparently I dress better than most male teachers which doesn’t say much about how they dress)
My students only see me talking to women
Pretty basic stuff, but I can’t help but notice that the way I walk is not included.
My students usually quickly perceive me as a safe space.
Homosexuals have no control over their genetics or how they were treated as babies, so they are not responsible for their sexuality.
Still, that is a lot simpler to say than it is to handle. In it, gender roles are reversed. If we see a little boy holding hands with a little girl, we call it “puppy love.” We ask them if they are “sweet” on each other and maybe even encourage their age-appropriate little romance.
