Silence and Stereotype

When I first realized I was into women, the world around me didn’t blink — mostly because it didn’t see me.

I wasn’t the “lesbian” people expected.

I didn’t have short hair. I wasn’t into flannel. I didn’t play sports. I wasn’t loud, political, or even particularly confident. I wasn’t dating anyone. I didn’t know how to flirt. I didn’t even feel like I had the right to call myself that word yet.

So instead of coming out loud, I came out quietly — mostly to myself. And then I stayed silent.