Living in a safe place
Day 8: What do you think the closet or being closeted means to you?
When I think of closet, the first word that comes to mind is “fear.” Fear of rejection, fear of misunderstanding, fear of hatred, and fear of violence. I’ve read articles and heard stories of many people who were subjected to these things that we fear after coming out of the closet, and it breaks my heart. So much suffering for being brave and honest.
I remember Harvey Milk was always encouraging people to come out because a large reason why other people didn’t care about or understand LGBT was because they didn’t think they knew anyone. If you came out to your friends or family, the situation suddenly becomes personal. Some law or proposition that didn’t affect them suddenly did, because it was connected to someone they love. These foreign ideas are now a part of their lives, and now they can be educated about them, and maybe even become active for LGBT rights.
I’m very lucky not to live in a place where I would be afraid. Honestly, if I lived in a really conservative neighborhood where I might get beat up or harassed for my orientation, I would probably be in the closet right now at age 22, and save up money to move to a place where I can feel safe.
Here in Northern California, an hour away from San Francisco, all my close friends know about my orientation, and I don’t really hide it from anyone except for my parents. I will come out to them when the timing is right. It would be silly if I went on and on about how important it is to be true to yourself and the people around you if I didn’t come out to two big people in my life, right?
Anyway, I have never felt extreme fear except for that inkling that my parents would love me less… but I do know why some people are closeted, and remain closeted for years. I pray that they find the courage to come out, I pray that the people around them understand them and accept them, and most of all, I pray that anyone who feels different can live in a place where he or she feels safe.
- Living in a chill area of California
- Not having to fear for my life
- Not having to hide myself from the world
- The blessing that was Harvey Milk
- Safe Zones
- Mass at Mission San Fernando today
- Vanilla Almond Special K
- Signing my lease for the new STK apartment
- Phone calls w/Mom
- Phone calls w/Little
-
onewthechicken liked this
-
todayiamthankful posted this
