Sometimes, I with that I could forget that I'm gay.

Not because of any internalized homophobia or self hatred, but rather because I am embarrassed and ashamed of associating myself with the worst of the LGBT community - the white people who assume that they are not racist because of their identity.

White gay (or bisexual, or transgender) people who support other racist gays like Jeffree Star, make "white people" jokes in order to distance themselves from their privilege and minimize the struggles that people of color face (yes, even the straight and cisgender ones) have made several non-white LGBT people feel isolated from a community that allegedly preaches tolerance and acceptance to all.

In short, the discrimination you face as an LGBT person does not negate the privilege you receive as a white person. It is your job to acknowledge this fact, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel, and work to make your community more inclusive for LGBT people of color.

For non-white LGBT people, life boils down to a simple would-you-rather question: do you feel more comfortable with your friends of color who are straight but prone to occasional homophobia, or with your friends who are LGBT and racist? For many people, this is an unwinnable situation.

If you are white and LGBT, you still have the privilege that comes with being white, even within the LGBT community. Non-white LGBT people are statistically more likely to be depressed and ashamed of their identities, homeless and impoverished. More than half of transgender children of color are victims of sexual abuse. Gay Black men are about five times more likely to be affected by AIDS than gay white men. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are incredibly difficult burdens to deal with, but are only exacerbated by racism.

It is important to recognize your privilege and to use your privilege to help others. Being white and LGBT does not make you an inherently bad person.

Being white, however, does mean that you benefit from the structural racism ingrained in our country. Use your perspective as someone who faces discrimination for being LGBT and use it to help other LGBT people of color. We are all a community, but a fragmented one that needs fixing.

At the end of the day, we all want to be seen as equal and worthy of respect. We all want to live a life where we are happy.