Originally from LA, I am a double major in theatre and psychology at Northwestern University. I want to someday work with children, possibly on the autistic spectrum, in theatre and education and/or work in production or stage management. I love my work and my school and I am so happy to be able to work in what makes me happy and what I’m truly passionate about. In my free time I love baking, hiking, being outdoors, going to the theatre, hanging out, and just enjoying down time. I keep very busy in theatre, but I know how to enjoy and love life.

I’ve been struggling with my sexual orientation since I was 9 years old. I “came out” to my friends and parents as being bi when I was 13, but I was dismissed by my parents and have been told that I was probably just going through a phase by everyone I know. When I came to college, I identified as being bisexual, but told everyone that I was attracted to women but would never date one. Looking back, I think that’s a ridiculous statement to make, but at the time, I was not in a position emotionally or maturity wise to ever act on what I knew in my heart was probably true. I now know that I am probably gay.

I’m having a hard time with accepting my identity and coming out to my family. I have only one lesbian friend, but many gay guy friends. I know no one in my community will care/judge me for my sexual orientation, but my family is another story. I’ve been hiding from myself and have only dated men for my whole life. I know that I don’t think I can marry a man. But I want to be with a woman. Recently, I have been coming out to my gay friends, and my one lesbian friend said she knew all along that I was gay. I’m really relieved that she knew and was there to support me.

The biggest reason that it is so hard for me to accept my sexuality, is because I want nothing more than to have a “traditional” family. I want children more than anything, and just recently I had the euphoric (and no-duh realization) that I still could have kids even though I was gay. I could carry one child and my partner could carry the other. This was really a life changing, relieving realization, and I couldn’t be happier to know that being gay doesn’t mean that I can’t have my family.

The fact that I’m even putting this into writing now is the boldest thing I’ve done to actually admit to myself what I know to be true and real. I’ve done all of my homework to know that this is real and I’m ready to finally start living my life. I just need to come to acceptance and build a community.