Before coming out as bisexual, American Career College-Los Angeles student Lexi B. tried to ignore her feelings and “pushed it down.” Joining a church as a teen, Lexi said she never thought of her sexuality as something shameful but more like a problem to be fixed or corrected later.
“When I finally left the church, it was really hard to come to terms with my sexuality,” Lexi said. “I thought it was OK for others but not for me. Once I learned more about it and opened up to people around me, I realized I shouldn’t be upset about it. I shouldn’t feel ashamed or uncomfortable.”
Luckily, Lexi had an inspiring role model in her family, she said, a younger sister who came out about a year before she did. Once Lexi began exploring her feelings, she became “so much happier, confident, and proud.”
Having struggled with hers, Lexi now tries to help others accept or understand their sexuality, advocating for them and herself and for being openly bisexual. Her advice for those wanting support is to read other people’s coming-out stories and to start slowly if they are not comfortable jumping right in.
“It’s a scale. You could be 10 percent into women and 90 percent into men, and you’re still bisexual,” she said. “You could only like one despite a history of dating the other — it’s not one thing or the other.”
After coming out to her friends and families, Lexi said she was surprised how many people in her life were already a part of the LGBT community. Many of her loved ones were also more accepting than she assumed.
“I realized it’s OK for me to live like others, and I didn’t need to feel weird about it,” Lexi said. “Living as you is so much more freeing. There’s a whole community who accepts and loves you."
To support the LGBTQ+ population, Lexi recommended celebrating at Pride festivals and shopping at LGBTQ+-friendly small businesses.
“Learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ community and what strides have been made,” she said. “Speak up when something happens or something is said against others and help teach others. We’ve come so far in the past 60 years, and there’s so much more to continue, and you can be a part of that.”
As a future vocational nurse, Lexi knows some of her patients won’t have the same beliefs or values she does, but it’s not her job to change their minds — only to provide the care everyone deserves regardless of orientation.
“I think it’s incredibly important to remember why we got into healthcare, to help others. This is without judgment, without malice, and without disrespect,” she said.
For allies looking to support the LGBTQ+ population and be considerate to its members, Lexi said asking questions, listening, and being thoughtful goes a long way.
“Simply by showing your respect, taking small steps such as asking how they’d like to be addressed, and asking open questions that don’t assume sexuality/gender. If you don’t know something, ask!” Lexi said. “You can really make a difference just by understanding how to be respectful and be supportive.”
