Nonfiction
Travelling While Bisexual
The apprehensions of being young and bi abroad, circa. 2014
This story was written in the fall of 2014, shortly after returning from my first solo-trip abroad. It is being published here for the first time, with minor editing.
This summer I applied for a scholarship to travel to Italy to study James Joyce. Somehow, through good references and young, bright enthusiasm coming across in my application letter, I secured a scholarship to cover some of my expenses for the ten-day trip. I was ecstatic! Having only left North America once before, and never on my own, I was overjoyed to have this opportunity to see a little glimpse of the world.
My emotions on finding out I would actually be able to go to Italy ranged from disbelief and excitement to mild apprehension and fear of the unknown. I immediately began to tell the important people in my life, asking for advice and encouragement to alleviate my fears of travelling solo. Instead, I received something much more sinister. From friends and family, from acquaintances in and far removed from the LGBT community, I got one startlingly similar piece of advice:
Keep your sexuality quiet.
