1. Would you consider that your experience was positive or negative overall? Why?

I didn't realise I was a lesbian until the start of university, mostly because I went to an all girl's school, had very limited to no contact with guys my age and didn't have a friendship group that talked about guys (even though all of them are straight, there was one lesbian acquaintance who was openly lesbian). So I'd say positive only because of the absence of homophobia.

1. Do you feel like you missed out on certain things because you were gay or bi? If so, which things? (ex: dating, lack of friends because of bullying/not being able to relate/etc etc)

I feel I missed out on pursuing girls at an earlier age, especially since I'd convinced myself that I was straight and should be interested in guys. I only realised later that I only liked men on an aesthetic level (as in 'that man looks handsome aesthetically) and if any of them flirted or got close to me, I felt physically repulsed.

1. How do you feel being gay/bi has impacted you as a person? (On a positive side for example, do you feel you became a more open minded and non judgemental person? On a negative side, do you feel you became a more anxious person? Etc etc)

As an adult, I don't mind listening to girl friends talking about their boyfriends (I love gossip and drama, shoot me), but I'm glad I have a friendship circle that accepts and embraces me as I am and will happily listen to me talking about women. Positively, I'm glad I don't have to worry about 'finding Mr Right', considering the reputation straight men have when it comes to expectations, behaviour, etc. Negatively, it's incredibly difficult to find a woman who a) actually is lesbian or bi, not just faking for attention/bicurious, and b) one that's not embroiled in TQ nonsense. Considering there's such a tiny percentage of lesbians, it's a bit disheartening. I've recently found a perfect match, but she's into TQ stuff, which can make things difficult.

1. Do you feel like it's important for you to have other gay friends or is it indifferent?

Yes, if they're not into TQ stuff. I have an old friend who's bi, but she believes bi means attraction to two or more genders so I'll leave it at that. My straight friends are far more reasonable, thankfully, so if anything, I'd prefer straight friends.