Coming Out 101

4

I'm an open Aromantic/Asexual who recently came out last month, but apparently I've been this way before I even know what those titles meant.

When I was younger, I never really felt that romance was necessary to me; it was only something that happened between book characters, and didn't seem a part of me in real life. It was unappealing, so I didn't want to think deeply about it. Even if I did try to love someone, I wouldn't love them back as strongly, so I knew that I wasn't interested in romance or anything stronger than it.

I was made fun for my opinion on it sometimes; I got laughed at for not liking guys or girls, and my preference to neither be very boyish or girlish sort of made me stick out quite starkly.

But I loved myself either way; I knew that if I forced myself into loving someone that I didn't at all feel attracted to, I'd regret it, so I've been happy having just a bundle of friends ever since. So far, being Aro/Ace has been quite liberating; I can finally say who I am without feeling like I'm the only one in the world who has certain preferences while others don't, because I know there are others out there who can relate to me in some form or way. I love the fact that there is a community that accepts you for who you are. It's wonderful, and I hope we can all keep it alive with a large amount of support.