Being a Queer Person of Color With a White Parent
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

My Life Being A Queer Person Of Color With A White Parent

Listen, it's is a hell of a lot harder than it sounds.

129
My Life Being A Queer Person Of Color With A White Parent

As some background story, it's no secret that I am biracial. My mother is white and Hispanic. Though my mother is "mixed," she is white passing. Also as a woman that has spent a majority of her life in the south, she had embraced the south baptist religious culture. This means that I grew up as one of the few brown kids in a predominately white church. I was very religious growing up. Until I went to college, that is.

I was on my own in college. I was able to do what I want and think on my own. I was able to be my own person. I met queer people and was exposed to different experiences. It was eye-opening for me and helped me open up. It helped me accept myself as a bisexual woman. Through college, I also became more of an activist for people of color, like me. It might not have been in a big way, but it was something.

Coming back home from college obviously proved challenging. I was a very different person then the person that left. I was more educated on matters that my mom probably never thought twice about. Every time I'd visit, we would fight about some opposing view we had. One specific fight was on why black history month and pride month were so important. She didn't understand why we had those, but why it wasn't okay to have a "white pride" month. I was shocked and disappointed. After a lot of arguing, I decided that she just wouldn't understand and I couldn't force her to.

After I lost my teeth, my mom started pushing her religious beliefs on me. She and her boyfriend, now husband, would tell me that God has a plan for me. This is after I told her that I didn't believe in God and didn't want anything to do with religion. My mother would tell me how this happened because I strayed away from God and lost my faith. It hurt to have someone that was so close to me keep pushing something I made clear I was uncomfortable with. Though it taught me a lesson. That being sometimes you can't get people to understand you and you can't make them. You can tell some people your beliefs and you can spread a message to people but that's all you can do.

In this situation, I had to realize that I couldn't talk about these things with my mother anymore. I couldn't tell her any more than I already did because it would go nowhere. Some people just don't want to listen and are bent on making you believe what they do. So I keep it civil now. I don't talk about the things that are hard to talk about. It sucks, but it's all I can do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54012
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34774
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957157
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

182035
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments