Luckily, university turned out to be my damsel in shining armour. I made beautifully queer friends that were proud, unapologetic, and welcoming. I started to unwind the damage around my little heart and let my lesbianism break free, like a caged animal released back into the wild.

However, the cherry on top was meeting my beautiful girlfriend in my second year of uni. Being with her just made everything click into place in my scrambled brain and now I feel safe finding out new things about myself. What I should have been exploring as a teenager, I now can discover in my 20s: what makes me feel loved, how I love others, how I want the world to perceive me.

When I began volunteering for Just Like Us, I had the most beautiful experience of meeting queer people across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Hearing other young LGBTQIA+ people’s stories made me realise that what we have all been through at school was not, and should never have been viewed as, normal. Thankfully, with the support of Just Like Us, I’m able to reach school pupils who are questioning themselves just like I did, and show them that being LGBTQIA+ isn’t wrong or something to be ashamed of.

Consequently, I’ve learnt to take pride in my identity and show myself some compassion. While my inner teenager still reacts with caution sometimes, my inner child gets to watch ‘Sk8r Boi’ as many times as she wants without feeling embarrassed – it’s a learning curve.

This Lesbian Visibility Week, I’ll be reflecting on what makes me a proud and blossoming lesbian today, while also remembering what came before this version of me. It’s so important to lift others up, offer a safe space, and remind the lesbians in your life that they’re seen, loved and perfect exactly as they are.

Jenna is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBTQIA+ young people’s charity. Just Like Us needs LGBTQIA+ ambassadors aged 18-25 to speak in schools – sign up now.