Blood is thicker than water, but family isn't always related. There are some relationships that are better left at a distance, but those negative relationships rooted in misunderstanding are different. If someone doesn't agree with your ideals or religious ideas but still treats you with kindness and respect, those "controversial" conversations should happen.

There are children and adults that are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or are of other religions, that are often shunned due to differences. As long as there is kindness and civility, there should be no reason why families can't be together during the holidays.

According to Advocate, there are thousands of LGBTQ+ children that are kicked out by their religious households, and they end up on the streets. Is that something that should be read about on the news? Homelessness is a factor in a strong number of people in the LGBTQ+ community, and this statistic should be fought. No child or adult should have to deal with not being accepted by their family. When a family is given a child, they are given the universally big responsibility of caring and nurturing the child. Yes, it is a given that homosexuality or bisexuality is considered a malformation in the genetic code, but in actuality, it's not. That part of one's personality is nature's mechanism of treating over-population, as stated by the Huffington Post. Who you love shouldn't be a factor of why you can't spend the holidays with your families.

Relationships are the key to survival. When we are born, we are first held and coddled by our care-takers. Being touched and held is essential to our health, as restated by the Scientific American.Toxic relationships are formed and broken as we begin to realize the toxicity of them and how they affect us both emotionally and physically. I've noticed as I've gone through toxic relationships that my heart becomes stiff and is always sore. When I leave the toxic relationship, my heart expands, and there is a newfound lightness to it. During the holidays, being together with toxic members of our families is never a good idea. I've noticed that in those I love that they tend to hurt most when toxicity is near them during the holidays.

Blood is thicker than water, but family isn't always related. Family is found in those that are not blood-related and with relationships rooted in care and love. I am surrounded by those who love and care about my existence all year-round, but this is especially so during the holidays.

I am part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I am still loved by my religious family. I always feel for those who can't be with their families during such a beautiful time of the year. Love and care shouldn't be during just the holidays, but all year-round.