Today is National Coming Out Day. I never thought that much about it because when I was a kid, people asked me if I was gay before I knew the answer (people will ALWAYS ask personal questions. Is it an American thing? I don't know). I only thought about it in high school when a group of boys wore "Straight Pride" T-shirts on that day. They got in trouble. One kid's mom went to the school board mee...ting and complained about it. I wrote a letter to the local paper and called her out for being homophobic. They printed it. I was at my friend Julie's house and yelled "HOLY SHIT" and she put it on the mirror in her room. I should call her. I miss her. I have a point, I swear.
Oh, yes! My point! While I am a constant source of stress and disappointment to my parents, it has nothing to do with my sexual orientation, and I think that it is totally awesome and progressive of them. Gay marriage is legal in my state now, and my father thinks I should marry for money and my mother thinks I should marry for love. I am so happy and blessed that we can have these conversations.
Wait! My real point! Goddd. FEELINGS. Okay. Some people don't come out of the womb flaming. Some people don't figure it out right away. Some people think it's a phase, or they'll get over it, or something made them that way, and they can get over it, or they will fix it. Some people know that if they do come out, their lives will change. Those closest to them will possibly disown them. They will have to re-define the word "family". I can't imagine how scary that is.
It is so easy for me to sit here and throw popcorn and yell "JUST COME OUT ALREADY", but I know everyone's journey is different. I know the word "journey" is kind of trite, but it *is* a journey.
I just want you to know that when you do -- and I am saying when and not if because I am daring to be optimistic --it will be the scariest thing you will ever do, but the sky will not fall. You will have allies you never knew you would have. You will find strength you did not know you had. God will still be there, even if people tell you He won't be. You will still be you.
(I love you)
Oh, yes! My point! While I am a constant source of stress and disappointment to my parents, it has nothing to do with my sexual orientation, and I think that it is totally awesome and progressive of them. Gay marriage is legal in my state now, and my father thinks I should marry for money and my mother thinks I should marry for love. I am so happy and blessed that we can have these conversations.
Wait! My real point! Goddd. FEELINGS. Okay. Some people don't come out of the womb flaming. Some people don't figure it out right away. Some people think it's a phase, or they'll get over it, or something made them that way, and they can get over it, or they will fix it. Some people know that if they do come out, their lives will change. Those closest to them will possibly disown them. They will have to re-define the word "family". I can't imagine how scary that is.
It is so easy for me to sit here and throw popcorn and yell "JUST COME OUT ALREADY", but I know everyone's journey is different. I know the word "journey" is kind of trite, but it *is* a journey.
I just want you to know that when you do -- and I am saying when and not if because I am daring to be optimistic --it will be the scariest thing you will ever do, but the sky will not fall. You will have allies you never knew you would have. You will find strength you did not know you had. God will still be there, even if people tell you He won't be. You will still be you.
(I love you)
