Pride Anonymous

It is 9:30 on a sunny June morning, I’m standing alone in the ferry ticket line pretending to look for friends that aren’t coming with me, hopelessly trying not to look so uncomfortable. I move forward in line and see a group of people who I know at school. Immediately, I turn my back hoping they won’t see me. A few moments pass, and they’re gone. As I step onto the ferry, I’m paranoid I will see them again, but I don’t know why. Everyone goes to Pride; it’s the party of the year, but I’m going for a different reason, and I’m not ready for people to know that.

Almost an hour later, as I step off the ferry, I’m bombarded with a wall of rainbow flags, and I can’t help the smile that comes across my face. It hasn’t been five minutes before glitter is being thrown on my head and someone’s screaming “happy pride” in my face. A group is handing out blank signs and markers. I grab one without second thought and write, “I am here for 14-year-old Me”. There’s a visibility flag stand, and I ask for the pink, purple, blue one- showing bisexuality. “This is it,” I think to myself as I tie the flag around my neck, “This is the first time I’m publicly telling people my sexuality.” I take a deep breath and hope that coming out at home will be...