I believe at the end of the day, we all make a choice of how we want to live as well as who we choose to love and it's not my place to dictate whether you're wrong or right. With that being said, I don't have to agree with your sexuality to still love, respect and befriend you. Recently, JSU lit the top of the library in a rainbow of colors to support the LGBT community and with this came droves of support in addition to opposition regarding this bold move.

As I began writing this, I knew with certainty that there will be those that will agree with me and without a doubt, there will be people that don't. That's the great thing about living in the United States of America, I don't have to agree with you or the way you live your life, but you also won't see me holding a sign in a group of ignorant individuals bashing you either. Yes, I am a Christian and I have a biblical point of view that may affect my thoughts and actions towards a lot of things, including homosexuality... but it is those same ideals that have taught me to love and not judge.

Being a non-traditional student who is finishing my degree in my 40's, I feel that I have lived long enough to say that I have seen a change in our society in regards to any and all that makeup the LGBT community. Although many would think that we've come a long way in the support and acceptance of this community, I will gracefully disagree. I say this because I no longer have the right to disagree without looking like an evil gay hater and that's simply not fair.

I will never hate you, I will never disrespect, push you away or make you feel like less than a person because you have a different lifestyle... that's not how I am. But, I also believe that whoever you are, LGBT or you're in a heterosexual relationship, you should conduct yourself with class. I have never seen so many vulgar, adjective filled posts as I have seen this month, and the ones that are posting them should know that YOU are making anyone involved in a "non-traditional" relationship look bad. Why do you feel the need to post "If you don't like the fact I am gay than F**k you!" or describing your intimate sexual details in effort to "prove" that you are gay on social media? I have many friends and family that live this lifestyle, and they are some of my favorite people but they don't feel the need to randomly curse opposing views or discuss what they do in the bedroom. If you are doing it for attention, well, you got it, along with embarrassing yourself and others.

I said all that to say this... I have no desire to throw bible verses at you, nor condemn you for how you choose to live or with whom you choose to live with. If you are my family/friend I will stand beside you through thick and thin and love you always. If I meet you on the street, I will show you respect and talk to you like I would anyone else because you are a human being like me. I am not perfect and I don't claim to be, and it's okay that I live differently than you, so please don't make me feel bad for having different views.