In High School, there are a lot of things to worry about. Do I look all right? Will my grades be enough to get me into a decent college? The thing that could be very difficult to deal with is the fact that you are gay. A not so recent discovery of mine is that I am a lesbian. The reason why I say “not so recent” is because it has always been in the back of my mind. In fact, I have probably known that I like girls since elementary school when I had a huge crush on my music teacher. I never had a problem with it. I am who I am. I can’t change that. However, my family does not have the same view on gays as I do.
I currently live in a small town. I go to a small school. If you’re openly gay at my school, you are basically isolated from everything and everyone. It’s not fun. What’s worse is that things are not much different in my family. I have grown up with my family saying, “God hates fags.” “Gays will burn in hell.” Not exactly a great situation to be in, eh? However, my mother was the only one who was accepting of different religions, sexual orientations, races, etc. I wasn’t quite ready to tell her yet.
I fell in love with my best friend who is bisexual. We love each other for who we are. That is when I knew that I had to tell people. The first people that I came out to were my friends. They accepted me with open arms. After all, I am me. I haven’t changed. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. The next person that I came out to was my mom. She was shocked, to say the least. I had tried to date men. I dated quite a few, actually. I was trying to be something that I’m not. She has come around to the idea that I’m a lesbian. In fact, she is trying to talk to me about it. The rest of my family may not be happy about it, but what can you do? You are who you are.
I guess the message that I want to get across is that it’s okay. You are who you are. You can’t help how you are or who you love. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be scared. Although your family or friends may not be accepting, there are people out there who are. People will love you anyway. No matter what you are: gay, lesbian, transgender, transexual, bisexual, whatever, you are a beautiful individual. Always, always, remember that. Be who you are, not how someone wants you to be.
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