As a member of the Oregon Trail generation, I can report that a couple of years ago I made a list of all the things that I was expected to not do when I was a cishet little boy and was afraid of being labeled "queer." The list of forbidden activities included, but was not limited to...
- Singing
- Dancing
- Reading
- Wearing bright colors
- Taking too much care of my appearance
- Hanging out with girls
- Expressing emotions other than anger
- Being in plays
- Avoiding violence
As an adult I'd describe myself as... like a one or two on the Kinsey scale, but honestly much happier now that I've recognized that heteronormativity is a horrible fucking prison. Wearing bright colors is fun, I love who and what I love, David Bowie is attractive, and I'm no longer pretending otherwise.