This is a great article presented by Teen Vogue. Alyson Stoner shares her personal story struggling with her sexual identity. She spent years in therapy trying to find clarity.
“Maybe it’s because I moved away from my father as a child and didn’t have typical male guidance in my life. Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced abuse from men and therefore I’m scared of intimacy with them (and in general). Maybe it’s because open sexuality is prevalent in my artistic community and I subconsciously just want to fit in. Maybe I actually want to be her, and I’m mistaking idolization for romance. Anything besides being gay, please!”
Alyson struggled with self-acceptance, as well as prejudice and closed-mindedness from others. People warned her that she would ruin her career, miss out on possible jobs, and potentially put her life in danger if she ever came out.
“Imagine receiving death threats (as I have); would you choose to live a lie in order to protect your loved ones? What if your partner felt like you were hiding them and it created stress and tension because you couldn’t be open outside of your home? I feel so much sorrow for the hurt I caused her and others during this scary and confusing season. She stuck it out as new problems continually emerged: identity, faith, career, you name it.”
“For all the challenges I’ve faced in my path to self-acceptance, I’ve also traveled it with my own set of luck and privilege. I’ve learned a novel’s worth already, and I’ve shed several layers of prejudice and closed-mindedness. I now understand why it serves no good to use shame and fear to control and suppress people. I now know what it’s like to have groups of people force you into silence and cut you off from a community and opportunities. I’ve sat alone in many crowds, beaten myself up, and questioned whether life was worth living. I don’t wish these dark moments on anyone, but I know it’s happening everywhere.”
Check out the full article here