Luckily, neither one of those age-old stereotypes came true, and actually I didn’t give them enough credit. I was worried they would treat me differently after I came out, or be freaked out thinking I either hated men or fancied one of them. I came out just before starting university, having made wonderful (and very straight) friends during my time at college. I appreciate the accepting atmosphere that these spaces create, and I love that my friends want to show their support of me and my community so openly in them.

As a gay person, knowing my straight friends want to come to LGBTQ+ bars and spaces fills my heart with joy.