There are some girls that when I’m around them, I feel this excitement and I don’t know if I have crush on them. I just don’t feel attracted to boys the way my friends do. Does this make me lesbian?

lesbiansFirst, thank you so much for trusting us with this question! Exploring what sexuality and attraction look and feel like is one of the coolest parts of being a person. We’re glad you’re taking the time to figure out who you like and what you want, because being thoughtful about what you want will help you communicate openly, confidently, and kindly with other people when you’re ready. It sounds like these excited feelings around girls, even if they’re confusing, are generally pleasant and positive feelings, and that’s a wonderful thing.

It may feel a little strange to hear your friends talk about boys and think, “I just don’t see it” — but you are totally normal. People begin to experience crushes at different ages, and lots of people your age are just starting to feel attracted to people of all different genders and sexualities. We promise that many of your peers are asking themselves similar questions as you are right now, and you will grow to know many, many people who feel the way you do.

Sexuality is a huge, diverse, and creative spectrum with plenty of room to grow. Your feelings of attraction to certain people may stay the same, or they may change over time. As you explore, you’ll learn which words and definitions feel like who you are. Try to resist the pressure to define your sexual orientation right away – there’s no rush, and sexual identity is a personal journey.

To put it simply, feeling excitement around girls doesn’t automatically make you a lesbian, but it does mean that you get this amazing opportunity to explore that excited feeling and consider a sexuality that includes more than just the boys in your class. And that’s amazing news.