Flashback

A scared 12 year old

Alone, afraid, abstract

Knowing they were 

Different

Than other girls

 

A stolen glance at school

An unflattering haircut

A google search for

What is a lesbian?

Who can be a lesbian?

Am I a lesbian?

 

Deleted browser history

In fear of parents finding out

The new reality

Feeling lost

Searching for signs in other women

An older Butch with a carabiner at the grocery store

Two women and their son at the park

Anything

Anything

To feel less alone

 

A Google search leads to

Community

History

Pictures of girls

Calling themselves the Lavender Menace

Loving women openly

Freely

And wholeheartedly

 

A new sense of pride

A glimmer of hope

And an urge to come out

 

Attending a Pride parade for the first time

Finally surrounded by others who feel the same

But never forgetting those who came before us