National Coming Out Day
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. For years, I’ve made a joke of this on social media. “Hey, friends, guess what?” Or, “Surprise!” There’s a sort of forgetting when you’ve been “out” for nearly 2/3 of your life. But I have recently reawakened to a powerful truth. Coming out, even today, is risking your life. A few years ago, I was working in a summer program for high school students, and a boy came to class with his face bruised and swollen. An adolescent fight? No. Gay bashing by other young people? No. His father beat him because he was gay. His father . Other teenagers become homeless, hence the need for homeless shelters dedicated to the care of LGBTQIA+ youth. Drug addiction is rampant among LGBTQIA+ as a result of this violence, shame, and isolation. And last but most important, dozens of transwomen, gay men, and lesbians are maimed and murdered each year. In such an environment you may wonder, why come out? First, it is hard to be two people—to show one...
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Beautiful picture!
Heidi :)
Feliz Navidad!
Froliche Weihnachten!
Joyous Noel.
And many more...
I'm so happy that I found your blog this past year, and I'm looking forward to reading more of your fabulous writing in 2008!
Here's to a happy, healthy, and bountiful new year!
I'm off to the US today to visit my family...
Kim
Happy holidays to all of you!
Julie
Using My Words
I am recent arrival to your wonderful blog, but I am very pleased to have found you. Hugs from New England.
jodianderson.com
Happy Holidays!!!
The A.A. Milne is cool!