SAM
WISCONSIN| SERIES # 4
My name is Sam. My pronouns are she/her and I am a panromantic.
My situation growing up was a bit weird. I moved around a lot, and my mother briefly identified as a lesbian after a breakup with her boyfriend. While people are “accepting” in my area, they’re also very homophobic. They will make comments about how they don't “understand” the LGBTQ+ community, which can be very hurtful. I’ve tried to
educate people every once in awhile, but often people get offended. When I say, “Can you not say those things? They are hurtful,” somehow THEY are offended.
No one ever comes out as straight, so why should we have to come out as gay? Why is straight the automatic? Why is that the norm? Still, I’ve known from a young age that I’ve been into women. My mom was best friends with older women, and I always found myself being very attracted to them. At first, I went into denial about feelings. In middle school, my attraction to my best friend allowed me to accept myself. Now, I'm very open about my sexuality, and I couldn’t be happier. My advice is to strive for happiness and acceptance, and to do whatever you need to get there.
