I didn't initially understand what homosexuality was, because my father pretended it didn't exist until it started making frequent appearances everywhere (shows that referenced it were banned, etc.). Because of this, I fell in love with a close friend, and didn't even understand what had happened. Because of that, neither of us were ever homophobic, although if he ever comes out as bi-sexual I'll eat my hat (and I don't even have a hat...soooo).
Unfortunately, once I began to understand that "maybe I really was gay", I thought that perhaps I was only gay because I had never had a girlfriend yet, so I promptly went about getting one. Didn't really know what to do, unfortunately, so didn't last very long. Sexuality isn't reliant on partners, after all, and I had to learn who I was the hard way. This was all many years ago.
Later, probably in near the end of grade 10ish, grade 11ish I convinced myself I was bi, and as I became more comfortable accepted that I was gay; and educated myself on what it meant (at first using wikipedia, and later gay rights groups like WipeOuthomophobia on Facebook, my personal favourite).
So: I thought I was bi for awhile, I was never homophobic, and I do feel the need to tell everyone, but I've only told several friends at this point. Realistically I'll probably only ever tell my friends and family, I don't imagine it's something that I need to write on a name tag exactly...
I do think I overcompensate. I am extremely concerned for and with helping others, and I always thought that "all gay people were like that", until I actually met people besides myself that are gay, and realised that's not quite true... so maybe I over compensate a little bit.
I dwelled heavily on how I was going to hide my sexuality for the rest of my life.... the shift (it was slow but looking back I can see it) was in a gradual, and increasing, concern for "who am I going to spend this life with?". Even if I live alone forever, I want to do it by my own choice and not from fear after all
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---I know this is all over the place, but tried to answer everything. I had a very convoluted time accepting myself, which only truly happened in the past year or so.