Be Proud - You are Taking the Initiative to Question and Grow
By Jesse, Online
Peer Educator with YouthResource.com, Advocates for Youth
Hi! My name is Jesse. I’m a first year student in college. I love all things creative: music, art, writing, you name it. Music is on my mind always – I’ll get “that song” stuck in your head (unless I’m behaving, then I keep quiet.) Your stereotypical “art student,” I’m always drawing someone - whoever is near me. And then there is writing. Writers put to words the unexplainable, using something they have known nearly all of their lives. The alphabet. They mold letters into ordinary words and tell stories that are nothing but extraordinary. Captivating, right?
But my free nature is not the result of an all-inclusive environment. As an out lesbian in a small town I’ve seen it all, often from the receiving end – “you dirty dyke,” “you’ll burn in hell, ‘cause god hates queers.” I can admit I’ve met the floor and landings of stairwells more than my fair share. I’ve been spit on and called derogatory names, some making it to bathroom stalls.
“If you weren’t so proud,” they tell me, “you wouldn’t deal with the harassment.” But if I weren’t proud, I wouldn’t be here at YouthResource. I would have no desire to be involved in the GLBT community; I wouldn’t work with the awesome organizations that I do, including YouthResource and GLSEN. I would not know the wonderful people I do; I’d never have the chance to learn from them. If I were not proud of my identity I would not want to change my piece of the world.
Most importantly, though, if I know that if my generation were to ever deny pride, we would not witness the day when all GLBT people can be proud without facing the bigotry and hate we live through daily.
In working with YouthResource I hope to gain only one thing - the knowledge that I have helped others. Feel free to contact me about anything and I’ll do my best to provide you with information and resources. I would love to hear from you regarding any HIV/STI or GLBT-related questions, including coming out, finding support in your community, student clubs (commonly knows as Gay-Straight Alliances,) student rights, harassment in schools or anything else!
Adolescence is a difficult time, especially for GLBT or Questioning Youth. Be proud - you are taking the initiative to question and grow.
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