Alexander Leon @alexand_erleon 
Queer people don't grow up as ourselves, we grow up playing a version of ourselves that sacrifices authenticity to minimise humiliation & prejudice. The massive task of our adult lives is to unpick which parts of ourselves are truly us & which parts we've created to protect us.
Alexander Leon @alexand_erleon It's massive and existential and difficult. But I'm convinced that being confronted with the need for profound self-discovery so explicitly (and often early in life!) is a gift in disguise. We come out the other end wiser & truer to ourselves. Some cis/het people never get there.
Alexander Leon @alexand_erleon All of this is to say - be kind to yourself. Discovering who you really are is an enormous task it doesn't happen overnight, nor does it happen without some hiccups along the way. Be patient, be compassionate, be vulnerable and exist loudly. And most of all - be proud! 
Alexander Leon @alexand_erleon I've been so inspired by all your responses that I decided to publish the original essay that my recent tweets were adapted from. I'm a bit nervous about publishing something so personal, but I hope it speaks to someone out there.