In a world so unaccepting, it’s hard not to protect your friends. Some of my best friends belong to the LGBT community and I couldn’t be happier to have them in my life. Every day they show me what it’s like to be confident, strong and understanding.
I was born and raised Christian. My grandfather was a Baptist pastor and I was raised to go to church every Sunday. Yes, I’m aware the Bible tells us that being a gay individual is wrong and we shouldn’t accept it. Well, you know what, the Bible was written ages ago and I don’t believe it makes me any less of a Christian for loving my friends.
Why would I want to live in a world where my friends are unhappy and let them feel as if they don’t deserve love? It breaks my heart thinking at one point, they we’re so afraid to embrace who they truly are and felt as if they needed to hide their true identity. My gay friends are some of the most loving and caring people I have ever met in my life. I cherish them dearly and they inspire me to embrace my true self.
We all struggle with self-confidence. It’s hard to live in a world where people are constantly telling you to look and think a certain way. Imagine a time when being a homosexual was completely unheard of and you we’re punished if anyone found out the truth. Beaten. Taken of your pride. Degraded. Life hasn’t become that much easier but at least we’re making some progress. People can now come out and know they have the LGBT community to turn to, incase their family or friends are unaccepting. Narrow-minded people are the ones afraid of the beauty of diversity.
On the days when I’m questioning if I’m pretty enough, smart enough, worth enough…my gay guy friends are the ones there for me. When I’m questioning what boys think of me, if they used me, if they want me…they are there for me. They are constantly there for me, reminding me who the hell I am when I get lost because some assholes along the way made me this way.
They make me feel the most beautiful and empowered I’ve ever felt in my life. I like to act like I’m a strong, independent woman who has it all together; however, that isn’t always the case. Life happens. Things knock us on our ass and tragedies happen, making us feel numb. Luckily, life also blessed me with the wonderful friends who remind me how colorful this world can be. Friends who remind me how to live life like no one is watching and how to fully indulge in the beautiful things life offers.
We laugh. We joke. We cry. We’re your average group of best friends. So what some of my guy friends like boys and some of my girl friends like girls. That doesn’t make their personalities any less beautiful or their goals any less than mine. I’m inspired every day to work harder to be my best self around them.
One day, I can’t wait to see them wildly in love. One day, I can’t wait to be in their weddings. One day, I can’t wait for the world to fully embrace diversity and dissolve the hate for what it doesn’t know.