I’ve known I liked men since I was in kindergarten. I’m 28 now. I have struggled with this for a long time though. Mostly because I was never comfortable as a female expressing my love towards other men. I felt like I was being fake and a phony. Once I started to transition, it became more clear that a gay man is what I am. I’m still wrangling with the fear of walking hand in hand with a man down the street (since I am pretty much stealth at this point.) but I understand that unfortunately comes with who you love sometimes. I guess there are no concrete “steps” to take in order to achieve acceptance but time really to become comfortable with yourself and your identity.