Perspectives: How does being LGBTQ+ impact you as a person who learns and thinks differently?

A few years ago, I figured out I identify as bisexual. It was one of those things where, once it clicked for me, a lot of my experiences in life fell into place.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always thought people were “pretty.” Going to a fancy theater-heavy college, everyone around me was “attractive” all the time. I’ve always been someone who heavily compliments people. But after a lot of therapy discussing my dating life, I came to the conclusion that I found women just as attractive as men and that my difficult dating experiences were mainly due to lack of proper communication with my prospective partners. 

I grew up not being aware I was bisexual. I grew up thinking bisexuals were “greedy” and needed to “pick.” I was a member of the LGBTQ+ club as support for my friends. But the books I read were hetero couples, and the shows I watched had love triangles that were always between a girl and two guys. It wasn’t even something that crossed my mind that I could be bisexual. I clung to my Goth/Punk persona and that was it. I was Dyslexic Goth/Punk — that’s it.

Going to a liberal college helped open my mind in a lot of ways. I met and befriended so many types of people who were different from what I grew up with in Staten Island. It really helped me understand my sexuality. And having dyslexia didn’t hurt because I was already used to being different. Going to Pride now since 2017 has done wonders for me mentally.