When I came out I was terribly worried, it was winter and I caught my mom having a break for a cigarette outside. I told her that I was gay (lesbian, I suppose) and she told me lovingly that she understood; she was bisexual, after all. I felt seen, I felt loved. Most of my life the focus has been on other people, so when I have time to look into myself I saw that while I had a strong preference for women I would love whoever I felt comfortable with, and in turn I started changing the way I saw myself: maybe “woman” wasn’t such a good fit. I found a partner about three years ago, and we’ve been transitioning together. He’s the love of my life, and I adore hearing how excited he is and how accepting the people around him are, and I am overjoyed that my own family is fine with my new chosen name and my pronouns. (Demigirl/18)