Have you ever been walking around the store and come across the bright and colorful children's section? I bet looking at all those cute baby clothes for newborns or blossoming toddlers makes your heart skip a beat as you start to imagine dressing your own children in those clothes someday. You know the clothes I am talking about. The small blue t-shirts for young boys that say "Ladies Man" in large print and "Lock up your daughters" and the pink dresses for infant baby girls that have printed on the front in beautiful elegant cursive "I'm not allowed to date boys ever." These clothes are the perfect example of what is commonly referred to as the "default setting."

The term known as the default setting is when young boys and girls, when they are born, are naturally assumed to be cisgendered and heterosexual.

Therefore, when the child grows up and or starts showing signs of anything but those two classifications, he or she is forced to go through the "coming out" stage, which in some cases can be very dangerous. So many men and women after coming out to their family and friends go through massive changes. Some are thrown out of their homes, some threatened violently, some ignored by loved ones, or some even welcomed with open arms. Either way, this coming out stage is the prime example and main reason as to why we should rid of the "default setting" altogether.

When a young couple is preparing for a newborn bundle of joy to take over their life, and they are constantly asked "What do you want, boy or girl?" they very often respond with, "It doesn't matter, as long as it's healthy." So why is it that when that same child grows older and confronts their parents about wanting to transition or marry someone of the same sex, the response is almost always negative? That same young baby is still healthy but wants to be happy and comfortable with his or herself.

These parents are only mad because of their constant belief in the default setting.

You naturally assumed that when your little newborn came to you that they were a boy or a girl who was going to be dating to opposite sex. And when you were shown that that was not the case, you were shocked and reacted however which way stated above.

Children should not have to go through a coming out stage, something that makes them think that because they are not cisgendered or straight, that they are not normal and must proclaim how "unnatural" they are to the world.

Most families are more accepting these days, but there are still many who are not, making it dangerous for any young individuals to feel safe and welcome to be themselves. Getting rid of the 'default setting' mentality will not only make families happier and healthier but the world a safer place for any and all members of the LGBT community to grow up in.