Sure, Marion. Every gay person I know, having been out of the closet for about 12 years, has been aware of their same-sex attractions for most of, if not their entire lives. The first time most gay people recognize them is around puberty, although many recognize them sooner than that. Acknowledging it to themselves, and to other people, can take years, though, and often doesn’t happen until they are adults and have attempted to “be straight”. I didn’t come out of the closet until my late 20’s, after several long-term relationships with women, during which I was well aware of my same-sex attractions. Coming out of the closet is not a decision to “turn gay”. It is a decision to start being honest with yourself and others.
