Why didn’t I think of this?
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Home for the Holidays
Today on Everyone Is Gay, we answered a question from someone who had the choice of whether or not to go home for the holidays. For her, the homophobic and hurtful comments from her extended family members had been too much to bear the year prior, and she wrestled with the concept of choosing her own happiness over having a family to gather with for the holiday season.
It’s a hard choice that many of us make, on a small or large scale, every year. However… I know that there are many of you who don’t have that choice. Perhaps you are in middle school or high school, or in college with only one place to head once the semester ends and the holidays draw near.
Some of you may have families who express love and care amidst confusion and hesitancy. Some of you may have families who refuse to recognize your identities. Some of you may have families who tell you directly that you are “wrong” or “bad.”
I know that my voice may not overpower the voices of those who have raised you, those whose understanding you seek most… but it’s here anyway.
You are not wrong.
You are not bad.
You are you.
Know that out there in the world there are a lot of people feeling what you are feeling. Know that so many of those people who tell you untrue things about yourself are so very lost themselves. Know that there are many families who work together - even when it seems insurmountable - to overcome those past seasons of heartache.
At the very least know that there are thousands of us out here who are working every day to make this world revolve around kindness and compassion.
Sending lots of love to all of you.