Hi, I’m Katie and I am a #pansexual, #polyamorous, #wildlifebiologist. If we are close, you probably know this. But you may not. If you didn't, or we have never met, here is a thread about #comingout later in life, and being queer in #wildlife. 1/14
With all the discussion of #bivisibility and representation in #ScienceTwitter (and an enlightening call I heard on @FakeDanSavage's Lovecast recently) I thought it might be a good time to have an official #ComingOut. I feel like I had 3 sexual awakenings. 2/14
One was sparked by @ElijahWood in The Good Son in the mid 1990's (heart eyes, am I right?), and around the same time I discovered the X-Files and have held a life-long torch for the irresistible @DavidDuchovny ever since. 3/14
But, during my middle and high school years, a little show called #AllyMcBeal aired, and I immediately fell for the exquisitely fierce @LucyLiu. I recall thinking, "I would do anything that woman told me to do." 4/14
But it wasn't an epiphany, it didn't click for me in that moment that my attraction to Lucy or other women was an indication that I wasn't just straight. And honestly, I thought that most women were at least a little attracted to other women. 5/14
I think this is largely because I had a number of queer adults in my life (including my grandmother and her wife), and there was never any shame around being attracted to people of the same sex, nor any pressure to publicly (or privately) define my sexuality. 6/14
Even after a brief relationship with a woman in college, I didn't see myself as anything other than straight but open to connections with women. Since then I have had connections with women, but none in a long-term, committed way. 7/14
I didn't really start coming to grips with the fact that I am pansexual until after age 30. And it wasn't about shame or fear of being queer identified, it was maybe more feeling like I wasn't queer ENOUGH to identify as non-straight (e.g., never dated a woman/NB long term). 8/14
At that point, it was a little embarrassing that I hadn't really grasped or identified my pansexuality until my early 30's, and so instead of a real coming out, I continued to discuss my attractions and connections to women/NBs with my friends and family as I had before... 9/14
..(though maybe more often as I was actively seeking romantic connections with non-male folx), and low-key posted about it during Pride month. But, as I endeavor to be a mentor to early career folx in my field, and an active voice for underrepresented groups in #wildlife... 10/14
... and since I pass for heterosexual and monogamous when out in public with either of my partners (both male, currently), I try to be as vocal as I can about my #queer lifestyle in my day to day. So here is my official social media coming out! 11/14
I'm #pansexual and I'm #polyamorous, and its ok if you don't really figure out your sexuality until you are older (like me!), and its ok to redefine yourself at any age, and you should love who you love, and, more importantly, love yourself for who you are. 12/14
And though #wildlifeconservation may seem hopelessly saturated with cis-het-old-white-men, #diversity is increasing, and we desperately need a variety of experiences and perspectives in our field. You belong here, you are not alone, and we want you here. 12/14
Please reach out if you want to talk about finding your place as a wildlife biologist (or just to chat!), whether you are a young student or an older professional looking to change careers. There are resources, and supportive people here to help. You belong with us.🌈❤🐁 14/14
You can follow @iheartrats.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: