No, you do not have to have sex with someone of the same gender to know that you're gay. Sexual orientation is primarily about emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to others, rather than specific sexual experiences. It is based on the internal feelings and attractions that individuals experience.
Recognizing and understanding one's sexual orientation is a personal and introspective process. It involves exploring one's own feelings, attractions, and desires over time. Some individuals may have a clear understanding of their sexual orientation from a young age, while others may discover it later in life.
For many gay individuals, their awareness and understanding of their sexual orientation are based on emotional and romantic attractions to people of the same gender. These attractions can be observed through feelings of longing, desire, and emotional connections with individuals of the same sex.
It's important to remember that sexual orientation is not determined by specific sexual experiences or actions. It is about the consistent patterns of attraction one experiences towards others. Personal self-reflection, introspection, and recognizing one's feelings and desires play a significant role in understanding and accepting one's sexual orientation, including being gay.