Reveal yourself

Coming out can be a challenge but its worth it

 

 

"Burst down that closet door once and for all, stand up and fight.”
-Harvey Milk, Politician, California

 

 

 

                       By TALESHA MCCRAY, 10

 

 

 

 

Everyone has to make tough life decisions. "Coming Out of the closet” or letting

the world know you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is one of them.

Many people find it very hard and difficult to cope with this challenge. Others

find it very natural.

 

Senior Abramn Rodriguez came out last year to his mother and siblings. They were very understanding and very open and accepting for who he was. When he told his friends some of them stuck with him and some he lost. It made him stronger and he realized who his true friends were.

 

“Nothing makes me different, I’m still the same as anyone else,” he said. “I believe that love shouldn’t be between a man and woman, but between love and love.”

Sometimes the “coming out” process is not so smooth. Not everyone can accept the stress which sometimes leads to drastic results.

 

Canadian Joshua Melo committed suicide in November, 2004.  He hung himself because of severe depression after endless bullying over his sexuality. He couldn’t walk down the hall without someone laughing and teasing him.

 

Remaining in the closet means that you choose to hide who you are from those around you. It means lying about your relationships, pretending to be someone you are not, and keeping a large part of your identity from your loved ones. This can be very painful and is incredibly damaging to one’s overall physcological health. Coming out is strongly related to developing a positive gay or lesbian identity, better mental health and high self-esteem. Many people stay “in the closet” because they fear of physical violence. People also stay in the closet because they fear rejection by society, rejection by religion, lack of positive gay role models or difficulty getting a job. 

 

Some family and friends do have a hard time accepting that someone they love is gay or bisexual. However, there are many times where they are extremely supportive. Each person's situation and surroundings are different and there is no definite way to tell how well your family will accept your sexuality.

 

Just be strong and remember to come out to family and friends at your own pace. You can't choose your family, but if your friends do not accept you for who you are, then they don't need to be in your life anyway. You are in complete control, don't let fear hold you back.

 

01.06.15