From my experience I’ve learned that healthy communication is important in any relationship - especially when sex is involved… Coming out as a lesbian in the past year has brought me new and unexpected challenges. Logically, many have revolved around sex and my ability to speak honestly with my partner about it.

It started with a cat... My brother and I were both animal lovers as kids and were excited to see that a neighborhood cat had wandered into our front yard. However, this particular cat was acting strange – making weird noises and acting irritable. “Guess she’s in heat,” my mom said to my dad. “What is ‘in heat’?” My brother was young and curious.

I learned how to have sex before I learned how to drive. There was no manual, no instructor, and no exam. I learned everything I thought I needed from my friends. At age 15 I strongly believed that if I had somebody to do it with I would pass with flying colors. There was no need for Sex Ed; my friends and I had all the answers.

The absolute last scenario I would have imagined as the “perfect moment” to tell my parents I was gay was exactly the way it happened.