One of my favorite memories from last year is standing with some boys from my class (typical loud bro type dudes) and talking about prom. I casually mentioned âoh yeah I might bring this (British word for cigarette) from otherschoolâ.
These four guys went completely silent, looking at me like I had said the nuclear codes. We had just had a school wide conversation about being chill with gay people and boy howdy these guys where AGAST at my use of derogatory language.
I look up at them, standing there in a pun tee shirt and sharp eyeliner and blink.
âIâm gay.â I say, an eyebrow raised.
For the next minute these guys exhale relief and tell me they donât judge by appearances. The best part? Most of them had known me since middle school. Aka theyâd SEEN ME KISSING AND DATING PEOPLE OF THE SAME GENDER/NONBINARY.
True allyship.












