I grew up with a very interesting (to say the least) family dynamic.

My parents were (and still are) hardcore Republicans when it comes to monetary things, but when it comes to social rights they're Dem AF. They chose to put me into a charter school, which in turn exposed me to a diverse set of cultures and ideas.

There were crazy helicopter parents, career-driven parents (aka mine), and everything in between. Being surrounded by all those parents, and their children, made me realize how lucky I was to be in my family.

I never came out, nor did I have to. If I brought home a girl, they said "cool." If I brought home a boy, they said "cool." My friends loved my parents because of how accepting they were (and still are) of every person's choices. They believe that it is just that; their choice.

Friends surrounded me, coming out as gay or closeted by their sexuality, but I can honestly say that I don't understand that. I never felt constricted or shamed for being who I was. Even now, I'm completely transparent about every part of me. I don't care that people hate that, either.

The pressure that non-acceptance brings onto people is a weight that I could never endure. I don't have the strength. Many people don't, and that's why many don't make it.

If I would have had to come out, to a different family, in a different space, I may not have made it either. Among all my other problems, I don't think I would have been able to handle people telling me I had another one.

My parents never allowed my sexuality to be a problem for them. While I have people all around my family with different views, I couldn't care less because the people that RAISED me... stand by me.

Sexuality should NEVER be taken into account as a "problem." Straight people don't have to "come out," so why should anybody else? TBH it's all a construct, and I hate it.

I will raise my kids, and treat my friends, with the utmost respect for their choices. Whether they bring a man, woman, or non-binary person into our family, I will rejoice. They found happiness, and that's all I could want.

Decisions that others make have nothing... NOTHING... to do with you. You make your decisions on your own and are responsible for those, but don't push that shit on other people.

Don't force people to come out, just because they don't share the same sexuality or religion or ideals as you. Don't make people feel like "the other" or like they don't matter just because that's YOUR view. Other sexualities exist.

It's not contagious. It's not scary. It's not a phase. It's not trendy. It's not attention-seeking. It's not "cool." It's not being confused. It's not pretending.

Google the terms. Become familiar. They're not going anywhere, and just because I'm marrying a man doesn't mean I'm straight.