Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Straight People Explain The Moment They Knew They Weren't Gay

Make us preferred on Google

There's this pervasive idea in a lot of people's minds that being straight is just the "default" sexual preference. That isn't the case, though.

We often hear about the moment people realized they were gay, but we almost never talk about people who have those moments of realization that they're straight.


So let's talk about it.

Straight people of Reddit, when did you know you weren't gay?

So ... you know how you don't know if you like a new food until you try it? A few of these responses involve people who had their moment of realization while in the middle of a "taste test" if you will. So This probably isn't the best article for young readers or anyone who might be sensitive to sexual subject matter.

Victoria's Mail-Order Brides

Giphy

When I was SUPER young I used to take (and sometimes hide) my mom's Victoria's Secret catalogues. I remember an intense feeling while looking at the models in lingerie. It wasn't a horny feeling (being so young) but it was exciting, fun and it had a magnetic feeling inside me to look at them.

Since I didn't even know what sex is, I figured that feeling was what marriage was. LMFAO So I'd be flipping pages and I'd be like - "Hmm.... I would marry... her.... WOW I really want to marry her... and marry her... mmm I wouldn't marry this one..."

I love these type of questions that bring back things you never think about. Looking back at this foggy memory I can actually remember the specific "perfumey" smell the magazines had.

- foxttrot

That Was That

When I first learned about the concept of being gay. I think I was like 8-9.

I randomly asked my mom "How do you know if you're gay?" and she said "You would just have a feeling and you'd know."

I thought about if I've ever felt gay and I didn't, so that was that.

- MNYC19-2000

Third Time Was Not A Charm

I was joking around with one of my friends and we (my friends and I) asked him how he knew he wasn't gay.

He told us he tried it 3 times and still hated it. He told us the long story about how he hooked up with three dudes and then realized he hated it.

So many laughs...

- KellynHeller

Instinct

Boobs. I realized I am a straight male when I couldn't stop myself from looking at them at the beach. Of course I would also look at jacked dudes and think "Wow, I want to look like this in the future" but it wasn't the same as looking at women.

I would look at muscular men wondering what I would look like as an adult consciously. Looking at boobs felt more like an instinct I couldn't control all that much back at age 12.

- kitho04

Flash Forward

I thought I might be bi. Flash forward to hooking up with hottest chick I'd ever seen and was like "nah... This ain't it." Hell of a time to realize you're actually straight.

- DasKatzechen

Hair 

When a girl strokes my back or plays with my hair it's very relaxing, I'm like a cat, I am so happy and comfortable and I'll go to sleep. If a guy strokes me or plays with my hair I'm tense - but in a good way, and really excited and flustered and I want to touch him all over.

- diycakedisaster

THIS. 100%. My hair was long in middle school, and the people sitting behind me in class always wanted to play with it - it was a thing I guess. When my girl friend did it, it felt nice. But when the boy did it, I thought he did it so much better....

- greenduffel

People Describe The Worst Adult Tantrum They've Ever Witnessed | George Takei’s Oh Myyy

That Didn't Go How Mom Intended

Giphy

I was raised in a "being gay is a choice" type of house. My mom was giving me a speech about how she didn't care if I "brought home a black girl, a Chinese girl, whatever, just as long I dated a girl." Basically an anti-gay talk.

I was confused about this, and thought to myself, "Why would I date a guy? I'm attracted to girls. Dating a guy sounds nasty. If I had to date a guy who would I date? Best friend? Ew, no. Preppy guy? Ew, no. What's-his-name that is out as gay? Ew, no. There's no guy I can even think of that I'd want to be romantically involved with, and even if there was, I'd really have to force myself to do so... wait ... wait a minute... Holy sht, being gay isn't a choice! I couldn't choose it even if I tried!"

- OhWhatsHisName

No Emotional Connection

I'm a female and I know that so far it is emotionally impossible for me to fall in love with a girl... I could have sex with a girl but definitely would not be interested in pursuing/dating a girl because there isn't that spark/desire I have with men.

I've questioned my sexuality before just to be sure (lol) but I know that the romantic bond I have with men is not possible for me to have with women. I could sleep with a girl but definitely would not be down to date or even flirt with a girl. It would feel very forced and uncomfortable for me.

- yllilrose

A High School Rumor

Honestly? Though I had been reading classic romance novels for a couple years nothing solidified me being straight more the someone in high school starting the rumor I was gay and it taking over the entire school (for 4 years!). So much so I had gym teachers pull me aside to ask if I needed to dress alone so I wouldn't lust after the other girls. It was then I discovered that not only was I not gay but even the idea of sexually touching a girl is a complete turn off for me. I'm not a touchy person to begin with but the mere thought a even having a threesome with another woman involved is like a cold bucket of ice water to my libido.

- WifeofTech

No Sense Of Scale

I can't even tell how attractive a man is. I can tell the difference between good looking and not good looking but I have no idea of where they sit on the scale. So many times I've been out with friends and they're all "oh my god he's so hot" when to me he looks about the same as most of the other dudes in the area.

- WoodyChuck

Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or ":zipper_mouth_face:" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Alanis Morissette
L. Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame

LGBTQ+ Fans Celebrate After Alanis Morissette Comes Out As Pansexual: 'I Get Everything'

During a recent episode of Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin's Handsome podcast, Canadian singer songwriter and actor Alanis Morissette came out as pansexual.

What is pansexual?

Keep ReadingShow less
Hillary Clinton; Donald Trump
Dominik Bindl/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton Uses Trump Catchphrase To Troll Him After He Criticizes Her Home Decor

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a quick response after President Donald Trump lashed out at her and claimed he "doesn't like" her home when a reporter informed him that she had criticized his taste in gold White House decor.

Trump has given significant attention to White House renovations and other pet projects around Washington, D.C., during his second term in office. Trump's White House renovations have already cost nearly $1 billion, according to one analysis.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
CBS

Trump Blasted For Completely Out-Of-Touch Response To His Net Worth Going Up By Billions During His 2nd Term

President Donald Trump was widely criticized for his tone-deaf response after he was questioned by 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat about the billions of dollars reportedly added to his net worth during his second term.

A recent Forbes report noted that Trump's “net worth went up by $3 billion” since he returned to office in January 2025. The publication's estimate says Trump’s net worth exploded from $3.9 billion in 2024 to $7 billion in 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Does About-Face To Push New Election Conspiracy Theory—And Here We Go Again

After previously appearing to accept the midterm election results, President Donald Trump did an about-face and declared in a post on Truth Social that they weren't "honest."

Last week, Democrats swept midterm election races to win back both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in a clear repudiation of the Trump administration. Trump had a noticeably muted reaction to the results but initially congratulated Democrats and pledged to work with them when new members of Congress are sworn in.

Keep ReadingShow less
Viral Video Of Jack Black And Celine Dion Rocking Out At Metallica Concert In Las Vegas Has Fans Going Wild
Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage; Marc Piasecki/GC Images

Viral Video Of Jack Black And Celine Dion Rocking Out At Metallica Concert In Las Vegas Has Fans Going Wild

Celine Dion and Jack Black rocking out together at a Metallica concert? Now that's a pairing nobody saw coming.

The two stars were spotted letting loose during Metallica's Life Burns Faster residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas last Saturday, and the footage quickly made its way across social media. While Black's love for heavy metal is hardly a secret, Dion's enthusiasm might surprise fans more familiar with her powerhouse ballads.

Keep ReadingShow less