When I think about having children, I get instantly excited. Well, that is until I think about the state of the world currently and the world that I grew up in. After recalling my life and the world for the past 19 years and thinking about all the hell myself and others been through, I start to wonder: should I have kids? Will they be bullied like I was? And even worse, will they be discriminated against like many others? To think of my children being hurt because I brought them into a world that doesn't treat everyone with love and respect breaks my heart.

That all being said though, I have a solid 7-10 years before I start planning a family. A lot can change in that amount of time, and hopefully it does, because I don't know if I want to bring a child into a world that looks like ours does now.

Instead 10 years from now, this is what I hope the world looks like for my children:

I hope my children don't have to think twice about holding their significant other's hand in public, no matter their sex.

I hope my children feel safe when protesting or standing up for what's right.

I hope my daughters don't have to cover their drinks in bars or wear longer skirts to parties.

I hope my children won't have to see their Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. friend be discriminated against.

I hope my children don't have to fight for anyone's rights because everyone already has them.

I hope my sons never hear "stop being a p****" in the locker room if they cry after practice out of frustration.

I hope my children don't have to feel ashamed when deciding to transition from male to female or vice versa.

I hope my children see criminals doing the time they should for the crime they committed, not for the color of their skin, socioeconomic status, gender, etc.

I hope my daughters can make their own choices about their body, no matter what that may be.

I hope my children can visit beautiful, trashless beaches and take cruises in the Arctic Circle to see polar bears.

I hope my children never have to see videos of entire families being cornered, beaten, or detained by ICE.

I hope my sons feel comfortable enough to wear makeup to school without fear of being called names.

I hope my children never have to see their friends go hungry at lunch because their parents couldn't give them lunch money for the third time this week.

I hope my children never fear wearing light-up shoes to school because they're afraid a shooter might see them.

Mostly, I hope their world is more kind, equal, accepting, and safe than the world that I grew up in was.

My children and yours should never fear for their lives or wellbeing because of their gender, sexuality, race, economic status, etc. They should grow up feeling secure no matter who they are or what they look like, and I hope that that's something everyone in the world can agree on. The first step to this kind of change though is us, and I'm willing to step up to the plate. Are you?