Introduction:

“If Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that no one should live in a closet.” -J.K. Rowling

Sometimes when I get bogged down with the hard times in the world, one of the things I like to do is remember where I live and feel that sense of American pride that comes with it. As I was thinking about this fact earlier this week, I tried to remember the last time I actually felt proud to be an American. And then the sad truth sank in: I don’t remember the last time I felt that way.

I remember at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone was forced inside thinking that it was going to lead to something wonderful. I thought people would emerge from their homes refreshed and excited to see one another; I imagined a world where everyone just wanted one giant hug that we would all get swept into the moment we were allowed to leave our doors.

But anyone who has been outside of their four walls knows that’s not what is happening right now.

It’s my sincerest desire that someone will read this and find a glimmer of hope. These are effective ways that I found for dealing with some of the most hot-button issues facing us this year.

To be clear, this is not meant to be any kind of a political piece. This has nothing to do with how I vote, who I’m voting for, and who I don’t support. This is just one person’s take on being a good human being and just being kind to others.

LGBTQ(IA+)

I haven’t heard as much going on this month, but I heard plenty last month since June is also Pride Month.

I’ll be honest with you: I grew up in a Christian household where I originally did not enjoy learning about homosexuality when the initial push for tolerance (in my lifetime) came out in the 90s. I am slightly ashamed to say I felt that way at one time. This narrow-minded thinking now feels and sounds so closed-minded and unloving to me.

At the time, I didn’t have gaydar and I just thought everyone was heterosexual. I thought there was something wrong with you if you thought yourself otherwise.

Then I went through high school and found out one of my best friends was gay. Actually, I didn’t really “find out,” it was just common knowledge since he came out the year before I met him. I felt bad for him because he had a horrible coming out story. I had another friend who came out as a lesbian and then another who was bi. Slowly, my thoughts on homosexuality changed. However, at the time, the only thing I really recognized was the unhappiness they all seemed to share. I cared about them, and I felt less judgmental of the label on their sexuality.

For many years, I felt “unsure” about how to think of anyone who fell under LGBTQ(IA+).

After I took African American History, I saw that no good comes from oppression. I just wanted everyone to have the same rights, and who am I to tell you how to think or who you can and can’t love? That’s not my job. My job as your neighbor is to lift you up and ask you to be yourself because you’re the only person that can be you. My job is to love you as my fellow man. Nothing more and nothing less. I went from tolerant to straight ally almost overnight.

In addition, I know what it’s like to go through an identity crisis. I know what it’s like to not feel like myself because of what someone else thought I should be. I never want anyone to feel that kind of judgement from me. It doesn’t mean happiness for anyone.

Stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.