I have always been what people label a "lesbian". I am presently 18, still fairly young I know but just because I am young it doesn't mean that I don't know who I am- age to people seems to be such a big deal.

Anyway, I went to an all girls school in Sydney, when I was 15 or so. Rumor started going around that I was 'gay'- girls would literally walk up to me and give me a hard time about it. I denied it at the time, of course, you do what you have to do to survive and inevitably proceeded to date an abundant amount of guys. When I tried to tell my father and his girlfriend about my preference they yelled at me and told me I was "stupid", 'I was nothing and never would be anything if that was what I liked', so once again I covered it up and told them that I was only joking.

A couple of years later I moved up north and made some amazing friends (all gay) they told me their stories and I told them mine and with their help I realized that there was nothing wrong with me, of course 'coming out' is not easy and on occasion I did cry because a part of me didn't want to accept. Almost a year later I met my present girlfriend, a wonderful and amazing girl whom I love with all my heart.

At first my grandmother couldn't stand the idea and told me that I 'wasn't her little girl anymore' and that I 'was going to kill her if I continued in this lifestyle' and once again I was told that I would never become anything. But despite what she said I knew I had to what felt right and made me happy.

My grandmother has now accepted me for who I really am after realizing how happy I am.

As to people's claims about never becoming anything because of my choice of lifestyle, I am presently studying at an elite university in Australia, I am also the cover girl for the 2002 Hot fm and Club millennium calendar, I would also like to include that I worked at a television station full time and trained men and women over twice my age.

You are who you are- if you are happy you can achieve anything that you put your mind to. Be true to yourself despite the obstacles and that is when you will find complete happiness