Response

The response I am writing about is sexuality. I am gay and would like to tell my story. I have known my entire life of who I am. I tried to deny it because why would I want to live a life of judgment and hatred from others. I am the type of person that I don’t like being the center of attention and when I tell people I am gay, that’s what I become. I did not want this, but I am who I am and I have come to terms with it. I am happy with who I am.

I recently just came out. I spent all of high school surrounding myself with friends I knew that when I came out, they would support me. This made telling people much easier. I was lucky and I have two very loving and accepting parents. I have yet to meet someone who has been a part of my life and has not been accepting of me. I went through a time in my life where I hated who I was. I fought every feeling I had. It’s not that I wasn’t accepting of homosexuals, I just didn’t want to be one. I want kids and I want to get married. I have my best friend Phoebe to thank for that. She told me that I can still be happy and have all that. If someone says differently tell them to “go F*** themselves”. She is such a lady. Phoebe helped me find my first boyfriend and helped me through the judgment I received from my class mates. She also helped me during volleyball season when I was struggling.

Now I understand that many people struggle with who they are. Many people think it is a choice and that someone may choose to be gay because they want to be a “rebel”. I can assure you that it is not the case. Homosexuals are born the way they are and are no different from anyone else. Just because they like the same sex, has nothing to do with who they are. Who you like doesn’t define who you are. You define yourself with your personality, your character, your being. In order for people to see that you are no different from them, show your compassion. If you’re a nice person, no should be able to judge you. If someone is discriminating against you, forget about them. They are not worth it.

I am hurt when I hear about people like the West Boro Baptist church dedicates their lives to trying to rid the world of all homosexuals. Or when someone commits suicide because they were bullied for being gay. I have been a victim of bullying and I had to overcome it all. High school should be a safe place for anyone. But unfortunately that’s not case.  I was a part of helping my school become more gay friendly. But I did this from behind the scenes. I talked to teachers about what I was hearing in the hall ways, and I also helped by giving teachers insight on the issues that were going on in. I also talked to them about what might make students more comfortable talking to teachers. I want everyone to feel like they can be themselves and date who they want without having to hide it.

During homecoming week at my high school, instead of running separately for homecoming court, we voted on couples. I actually ran with a good friend of mind. I went up against a lesbian couple, and they were the runner ups, beating me. I was ok with losing to them because they were doing what I couldn’t do. I wish people had these girls confidence and could go public. They even made the newspaper.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a gay man who didn’t want to tell his parents because his sister was dating an African American and his parents were barely ok with that. He felt that having a gay son would be too much for them. He is super smart and a very nice man. He is part of the city council in a town near Pittsburgh, PA. One of the youngest council has ever had.  So why should he be afraid of who he is? His accomplishments should be proof enough to his parents that nothing is different about him. But it wouldn’t be for them. Another friend of my told his parents and his mother doesn’t want to live with him anymore, so he live with his dad, who is still not completely accepting of his life still. My other friend came out to her parents and her mother had to go to a mental hospital on suicide watch.  She couldn’t handle the fact her little girl was a lesbian and kept asking what she did wrong. But now they are on good terms. They are actually closer than ever. It literally depends on how much someone is willing to accept somebody and willing to change their ways for that person.

I highly recommend joining some sort of club or group that you can just be around people who understand what you are going through. This is eve a great way to meet someone and later be in a relationship.

In order to be happy with who you are, you need to find people who understand and accept you. Love is love.