Another Pride Month miracle has occurred: Amandla Stenberg has embraced her sexuality during an interview with Wonderland magazine, revealing that she is gay.
“I was so overcome with this profound sense of relief when I realised that I’m gay. Not bi, not pan[sexual], but gay — with a romantic love for women. All of the things that felt so internally contrary to my truest self were rectified as I unraveled a long web of denial and self-deprivation.”
Following her announcement, the 19-year-old took to Instagram to write: “So happy to say the words Yep, I’m Gay in official print.”
https://instagram.com/p/BkGrwx4hlyJ/?utm_source=ig_embed
She went on to recall how she struggled with her sexuality as a child including the discovery that she was attracted to girls and not guys.
“Like oh, maybe there’s a reason why I kissed my best friends and felt ashamed growing up. Or watched lesbian porn and masturbated (and more) with my friends at sleepovers. Or stifled a scream of horror the first time I saw a penis and had to convince myself with much internal strife that I was enjoying what was going down. Or could only find attraction towards gay men and femme boys who damn near had the sensibility of a woman. Or developed earth shattering, all consuming crushes on … GIRLS!”’
Stenberg blamed hers and other gay young people’s struggle with identity on the lack of representation in popular culture and I bloody well agree.
“Had I had more representations of black gay women growing up, I probably would’ve come to conclusions around my sexuality much earlier because I would’ve had more of a conception of what was possible and okay. Having more representations of black gay women now and seeing myself reflected in them has been a huge aid in seeing myself as whole, complete and normal.”
Massive props to the girl for having the courage to share her sexual identity with the world, using her ace platform to spread awareness and offer support.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkHQbfVhCxD/?taken-by=amandlastenberg
