Coming to terms with your sexuality is one of the hardest things a person of the LGBTQ+ community has to do. In times like this, the LGBTQ+ community is still not always accepted by peers and faces many challenges in the world. The LGBTQ+ community celebrates pride, diversity, individuality and sexuality. It's unfortunate that the lives of the LGBTQ+ community are always put at risk because of who they love.
In 2021, we need to accept that love is love, and to be quite frank, mind your business.
Why should we care who someone else is attracted to? People of this community are targeted and being killed because of who they love and it has to come to an end.
But, let's be clear, being a part of the LGBTQ+ community isn't a phase, so get used to it.
Saying "it's just a phase" is homophobic. It diminishes a part of who someone is because coming out as gay is not a choice or a lifestyle. Just like people of the community didn't choose their eye color, they didn't choose their sexuality either.
But, what is a choice is having compassion for others and accepting people for who they are.
If you want the world to be a better place, we have to start accepting others. Minorities need to be treated equally and have the same rights as everyone else. Imagine someone telling you who you love is just a phase and doesn't give you the right to vote.
Many people of the LGBTQ+ community know their sexual orientation at a very young age. Just because they don't choose to tell you as soon as they realize it, doesn't mean that it's a phase.
For me, I knew as a child but didn't tell anyone until I was a teenager. It's not for you to decide when somebody comes out of the closet, it's solely their decision. Coming out of the closet can be very challenging.
Not everyone is going to be accepted by their family or peers, and many are afraid to be judged or ridiculed. It's sad that they have to feel this way just because they don't love who someone else wants them to.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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