First Person - page 27

All the latest first person pieces from Metro, where people share their own real-life experiences in their own words – covering dating, health, identity and so much more.

I’ve spent over £40,000 to study in London as an international student

Everything is tightly budgeted down to the last penny.

What is an abrosexual? Let me explain, as it took me 30 years to realise my identity

One day I can feel like a lesbian, yet days or weeks later, I’d feel more aligned with bisexuality.

My 4-year-old was quieter than usual. Then his doctor uttered the words I was dreading

Tommy was hardly ever ill.

I made my kids watch Mary Poppins – now I can’t bring myself to tell them she’s not real

They’re firmly convinced Mary Poppins will be turning up to look after them.

I lie to my colleagues about who I am – I won’t reveal anything about myself

I have a completely different persona in the office than I do at home.

Tenants trashed my house while I was on holiday and left dirty knickers everywhere

The sofa was covered in stains and flies had laid eggs in the dining chairs and table.

I was 13 when I was groomed by an actor in plain sight. No one did anything to stop it

He would say that age didn’t matter as he tried to cuddle up close to me, put his hand on my knee and try to tempt me back to his flat.

I no longer feel scared to walk down the street at Christmas

Our hometowns - and even family homes - can feel like a dangerous place for LGBTQ+ people over Christmas.

I was 5 when my mum gave me a devastating order on Christmas Eve

As I opened my presents on Christmas morning, I felt a pang of sadness.

I’m spending Christmas 6,000 miles away from home with strangers

No one is judging me for sitting alone at a bar or restaurant, because there are plenty of other people doing the same thing.

I’d often have to pee in the street but it took decades to spot my problem

I couldn’t even go out with my friends for a dance without having an accident.

I’m sending 700 Secret Santa presents with a very important message

These parcels include pronoun badges, queer books, beauty products and a card telling them how loved they are.

My son has a lifelong condition but we have to wait three years for help

My husband has the same condition and also is receiving no support.

I’ve told my 16-year-old we’re too poor for Christmas

People might tell me to budget better, but how do I do that when there is no budget?

My aunt died in Gaza – she’s sharing her grave with a child killed the night before

While her death will be absent from the official statistics, she was a victim of Israel’s military attack upon Gaza too.

I haven’t bought a present in 10 years and it’s made Christmas better

Exchanging months of financial oblivion for one morning of smiles is an unworthy price to pay for a sliver of festive joy.

I have stage 4 cancer, can’t work, or afford to even buy toilet roll

Every day, I find myself asking, am I going to have a shower or put the heating on? Put the heating on or should I eat?

A female colleague stroked my hair daily – I didn’t realise it was sexual harassment

She would stroke my hair, run her fingers up and down my back, pretend she was massaging my shoulders or touch my face in full view of everyone in the office.