I grew up under the Conservatives' Section 28, which forbade the 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools. Obviously, homephobes interpreted 'promotion' as any discussion of anything. #Pride

I was also, by happenstance, getting into a cultlike Christian sect, and giving up all my teen vices, like reading fantasy books, playing fantasy games, and kinda maybe considering dumping all my friends.

Very grateful to our English teacher who showed us a gay themed video (boy meets boy, gets bullied, I forget) and led a class discussion.

James* (changed name) said gays were disgusting. Being a good Christian, I heard my bad-gay self agree with him.

James* (changed name) was a chronic sexual harasser of boys in the changing rooms, but that's that on that. James is straight and doesn't really remember now. Kids eh?

Anyway, my English teacher challenged my damning homophobic opinion. "Is that just your religion speaking?"

Internalised homophobia had me hating myself while my heart sang to see two lads fall in love on the 18inch CRT. #Pride

I didn't leave my religion for gay reasons, by the way. I was getting ready to live a celebate, loveless life.

I lost so many many years of my teen and young adult years to explicit homophobia and internalised homophobia. If you see me screaming to Lady Gaga or enjoying the 'conflama' of Drag Race, please know that my childish excitement is because I had NONE of this in my youth.

Straight privilege is learning to date, 'go out', and fall in love at school. I had to wait; all that exciting and character rounding stuff came late to me, while I sublimed my true self. #Pride

Remember that class about relationships and genitals? Barely relevant to me.

I was fucking poor too, so if you see me excited about my new trainers please know that this past decade is all about making up for the first few. I've relearnt who I am, learnt to love, learnt money, with little help. (Every little helped a lot.)

Very grateful to the 'old dears and queers' who took me under their glittered wings as a babygay. Very sorry to say that straight people warned me about them. People wanted me to be 'better'. I am better; better because of the help I received tyvm. #Pride

It's not enough to say "it get's better". I mean, sure. But the pendulum swings. Yeah, *you* get better, but scars don't heal. I am literally and emotionally scarred. #Pride