After always being in the closet about my homosexuality, I came out to my parents last week. I've never been able to tell my parents verbally because of sheer terror and anxiety. Therefore I decided to write them an email. I told them it's not their fault, I hope I don't disappoint them and I was born with this certain destiny. The next day my mother drove to Muncie from the Region to talk to me. She greeted me kindly and told me she loved me, but her religious upbringing could not let her accept her son. She said, "If you don't change, you're going to hell." Her words truly broke my heart.
After that nightmare, I posted my coming-out status on Facebook. Of my 546 friends, 71 managed to like, comment or personally message me. Their overwhelming support meant so much to me and still does. While my biological family may never accept me, I know my other family will.
On May 10, President Barack Obama came out in support of marriage equality. His two daughters have friends with same-sex parents, and he could not give a reason as to why those parents cannot be legally married. President Obama recognized the humanity within the LGBTQ community. The ethics and morals of the United States are freedom and equality, and ultimately, that message will always get through.
President Obama's words had me in tears. After a brutal battle with my parents, the support of the most powerful man in the world meant a great deal to me. The gay rights movement is still a struggle, as 31 states ban same-sex marriage within their constitutions. However I am hopeful and optimistic about my future and the future of the LGBT community. I hope our president puts his words into action and gives true equality to all Americans.
The lesson of my story is to treat your peers, friends and family with the dignity, the kindness and the respect they deserve because that is what you expect from them. True compassion can touch the human soul in ways words cannot express. No matter what our differences may be, we were all born to be who we are in the end.
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