Hello,

I've been contemplating how to start this letter for over an hour, wondering if you're even going to read it. You may think that what I'm going to say in this article is unfair or even dumb, but all I ask is that you hear me out and consider what I'm saying. When I caught on or heard that you don't support gay rights, something broke between us, and that can only be repaired by you opening your mind.

I understand that your religion is important to you. I understand and I respect that. Your religious beliefs are of course valid and I'm not going to insult what you believe. However, using your religion to openly discriminate against gay rights is not okay. I know so many loving and devoted Christians who support the LGBTQ+ community in our pursuit for equal rights.

Religion has been utilized to persecute certain groups before, that's simply a fact. Just as religion didn't make slavery or sexism okay, it's not an excuse for homophobia either. And, yes, you are homophobic. I know you don't like that word, but when you want to oppress gay people and you think being gay is wrong, you are homophobic. If you don't like being labeled as such, then change your beliefs. You'd be doing us both a huge favor if you did.

This is not a matter of different opinions. I don't think you've ever understood that factor. It's not a simple manner of "I like Pepsi products and you like Coca Cola." It's not even a matter of different political beliefs. I can respect your ideas for healthcare and minimum wage even though they vastly differ from mine. I cannot, however, be okay with you not supporting gay rights. This is a personal matter for me. These are issues that affect my life. You supporting businesses being able to deny customers based on sexual orientation directly affects me and my future. Your "opinion" is an attack on me and my community.

I don't owe you my understanding, my patience, my love, nor my respect when you are part of a culture that makes life so difficult for queer individuals. You are the reason myself and so many other queer kids struggled to accept themselves. You are the reason behind kids getting bullied for who they love. You are the prejudice that justified the Pulse shooter's hatred. Your bigotry adds to the culture we have in the United States today, and you need to take responsibility for contributing to the homophobia that still runs rampant throughout the country.

I know you love me, despite me being gay, but I don't want your love. Not when you don't even support me getting married to a woman one day. I'm proud to be a lesbian and no amount of bigotry from you will ever change that. Love will always win, so you better get used to it.

Sincerely,

Me (your proud gay family member)