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How old were you when you knew about your sexuality?

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by Leonardo, Feb 18, 2014.

  1. Leonardo

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    I'm just curious to see the variety here :slight_smile:

    I'm 13 and have only recently realized that I'm bisexual, probably because I have only just started having those sort of feelings at all, if you know what I mean...

    (*hug*):slight_smile:(&&&):thumbsup::kiss::eusa_danc:smilewave
     
  2. FireSmoke

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    Uhm...I began to have the first signals when I was 8 years old (yeah, I was precocious) but, you know, a child can't understand very well the meaning of sexuality, that I knew when I was 16.
     
  3. beloved

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    I was very young, but didn't really understand sexual orientation? I just knew I didn't like just boys. Probably around the age of 7 or 8. But when I learned about sexual orientation it was just lesbian, I was in 5th grade, so I was about 10? I didn't really find out all other orientations until I was in high school and I didn't think about my orientation until late into high school (I just really wasn't concerned about it, honestly. I was like "Yeah I'm not straight." and just left it at that). I didn't figure out my real orientation until a couple of months ago. So, it's been a long journey for me. Everyone is different, though.
     
  4. Cygne

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    I first started suspecting I was not straight when I was around 12, but brushed it off as "a phase". And then I forgot it until I made the conclusion that I am pansexual only a few months ago.
     
    #4 Cygne, Feb 18, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2014
  5. XTREMEZish

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    I knew when I was 13
     
  6. Emulator

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    On hindsight, I've been aware of it since childhood, but I thought it to be normal. Must have been around 12 when I found that most people were crushing on others and talking about love by then, but I wasn't the least bit interested in it.
     
  7. butterfly dust

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    I was aware I had feelings for people of all genders from around 11, but I didn't really have an concept of orientation until I was a little older. Probably started identifying as bisexual at around 14/15. Kind of thought everyone had bisexual thoughts until I was quite a bit older and spoke to some straight and gay identifying friends about it.
     
  8. mobrien1993

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    I was around 11 when I started questioning it. Then by the time I was 12 I knew I was a lesbian.
     
  9. Leonardo

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    This is really interesting :slight_smile: Seems like most people were about my age (13) or a bit younger when they first started to question their sexuality, but a older when they actually identified as something.
    Did you come out as soon as you knew, or did you wait? This is a problem for me right now - I'm worried that my family will think I'm too young to know at the moment.
     
  10. zabby

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    I think I started having feeling towards other guys around 11 or 12, but I never really accepted them. I just brushed it off, and continued to ignore it. I didn't try to have any relationships in High School, and I kept ignoring it. It wasn't until college where I started questioning myself that I actually accepted it.

    So, that happened a few months ago maybe. First one to say age 18!
     
  11. Black Cat

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    I'd say around 4. I knew all along I liked boys. But travelled blissfully unaware through life without knowing that two boys could be together until around 10. I was convinced (and fully prepared, even at such a young age...) I'd have to become a girl in order to be with boys.

    Upon realizing that two people of the same gender could be together in a loving relationship, I was sold on the idea.

    I've been aware of my sexuality pretty much all along, though mildly ill-informed at first. But hey, aren't we all ill-informed as children at one point or another?
     
  12. FireSmoke

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    I came out when I was 17. Your family, unfortunately, could think you're just in a phase because of you're very young.

    I suggest you to wait. If you come out now, you could be forced to "demonstrate" what really who are and in my opinion this is ridiculous and stressful.
     
  13. Leonardo

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    That's exactly what I'm worried about. I know it sounds stupid, but because I can't PROVE that I know that I'm bisexual, I don't think that they will believe me.

    Thanks for your advice :slight_smile:
     
  14. beloved

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    Ah, I might be a weird case because my mom was pretty absent in my teenage years despite me living with her. So even though I knew, I didn't say anything and never felt the need to tell her. I'm very chill with my orientation. Like if someone asked I wouldn't hesitate to tell them, but I don't go out of the way to tell people. I just assumed that she knew by how I always defended gay people and how I talked about it so much. But my little sister (who is 17) came out several months ago and somehow I ended up coming out as well? She said something about being pansexual and I was like "Oh yeah, I identify as that too" and my mom was like "What? I didn't know this." My mom is pretty much oblivious to everything, haha.

    So it really depends on your family and how they think, honestly. If you think they would make a big deal about it, I would just wait until you were older or you started dating the same sex and go to them like "oh yeah, I'm bisexual. I'm dating a chick right now. Later!"
    But things aren't that simple sometimes, so it's best to use your best judgement and plan accordingly.
     
  15. ZenMusic

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    About a year ago, but I'm pretty sure I was gay when I was 9.
     
  16. animequeen567

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    Pretty much what happened to me. Although, I didn't think of it as a phase since I was crushing on one of my best girl friends.

    ---------- Post added 18th Feb 2014 at 11:53 AM ----------

    Also, I've known I was pansexual since I joined
     
  17. Leonardo

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    I just want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences and advice :slight_smile: I think I might wait until I'm a bit older to come out, but if the moment seems right (If we're having a convo on sexuality), I don't think I'll hold back.
     
  18. FireSmoke

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    You're welcome :icon_wink
     
  19. Praetor

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    I spent many of my years believing I was straight from the onset of puberty. It wasn't until around 16 or 17 that I admitted same-sex feelings to myself as well. In retrospect, I think I probably ignored these feelings for a long time, refusing to admit to myself, but they were likely there for a very long time before.

    At first I was convinced it was a phase, or that I was just "curious". But as the months passed by... I couldn't really lie to myself anymore.

    I've come out very gradually. I came out to a few of my friends starting when I was 19, and by this point I'm out to my parents. I still don't talk about my sexuality freely with most people, but that's because I don't think its always relevant. If someone asks, I'll answer honestly.

    EC was a huge help, and the first thing I came out to, after myself. It definitely helped give me the courage to be out. Thanks EC!
     
  20. C P

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    Wow, am I the only one it hit at an older age so far? Mine didn't hit me 'til I was 19/20, out of nowhere. Until then, I was just...there...blah, ha.

    EDIT: Looks like Praetor is up here, too...I think.