New Beginnings

Hello to anyone who is out there.

I've decided to write this blog in order to organise my thoughts and also to help anyone else in my situation: because, trust me, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I'm going to be 20 in a month or so and though I've probably known the truth deep down (very deep down) all of my life, it is only now that I have begun to realise who I really am. I've gone to great lengths to ignore it in the past, which includes me convincing myself I was in love with one of my male best friends for nearly a year and a half. Eventually I realised I couldn't hide or lie anymore, and that it was time to be honest.

I'm gay.

There. It's out there. I want to talk about my feelings in this blog and discuss my fears, and remind everyone that perhaps it really can 'get better' if we all stick together.

Listed below are several things that have really helped me in learning who I am. I'd recommend them to anyone questioning their sexuality.

Books: (these can all be found on Amazon)
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown (fantastically written)
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters (young adult fiction, but very much so worth a read)
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (a young adult classic)
Girl Meets Girl: A Dating Survival Guide by Diana Cage
Same Sex in the City: So Your Prince Charming is Really a Cinderella by Lauren Levin and Lauren Blitzer (an amazing book)
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson (simply wonderful - a must read)

Magazines:
DIVA Magazine - quite a short list seeing as DIVA is the only lesbian magazine in Europe. A fantastic publication with great articles. It comes out once a month, and can be bought from WH Smith and Tesco.

Films/TV:
Glee - who doesn't love a bit of song and dance to put a smile on your face?
Skins (series 3 and 4) - the Naomi/Emily storyline.
Coronation Street - the Sophie/Sian storyline.
But I'm a Cheerleader - when a teenage lesbian is sent to a 'straight camp' by her parents, she discovers more than she had ever imagined. A wonderful comedy about how you cannot change who you are or who you want. Very funny movie.
Imagine Me and You - Romantic and funny. A young woman happens to fall in love at first sight with her female florist... on her wedding day.
Milk - an interesting look at the progress of gay rights, and the great man Harvey Milk.
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit  - an adaptation of the novel. This was adapted by Jeanette Winterson herself so is brilliantly done. Read the book first.
Torchwood - aliens. It's a great show.

I'll be writing more here in a few days. Please respond if you are reading, it'll be nice to know you're there.

Keep smiling. xx