4

It means finally getting to be myself. When I went off to college, I decided it was time to be me. I had been scared my whole life because there was a chance I wouldn't be who people wanted or liked. For me, being a teenager meant having a lot of friends. I realized I was having to make sure I had my stories straight and my act right when I woke up or went anywhere. It got so exhausting so when I went to OSU I decided to be myself and whoever liked it became my friend. It worked out wonderfully. It's sad when people keep themselves bottled up inside without letting people know the real them. Staying hidden in yourself isn't fair to you or anyone else.
Life is full of categories. Everyone falls into them. Gender, race, age, profession, and sexuality. In all other categories, I fall into an ordinary group. I find myself to be a pretty ordinary person. This gave me a way to stand out without trying. I don't have to put on a show or an act. I have a natural way to stand out and for me that's a big deal.
There are so many reasons why being gay means a lot to me. I find it crucial to be ones self and explore who you are without the fear of rejection. The ability to be unique through a natural channel gives a person a feeling of pride and accomplishment, even though it came naturally. Gay doesn't have to be a negative or scary word, it can be liberating and can end up giving someone a voice they never knew they had.