written to discuss LGBTQ+ identities, which I slowly began to realise applied to me. I then made the decision to come out to my friends at 13.
They mostly reacted well, and I began to live more as myself. When I became more confident, I came out to my parents at 14. They also accepted me, but did take a while to begin to get used to my new name and pronouns.
Out of all this, I have built a support network for myself with people, my close family and friends. Secondary school has been a rollercoaster for me.
My school is a single-sex female school, and they were incredibly supportive when I came out – from changing my name and pronouns in the school system, to letting all my teachers know how to address me.