Michael Hall

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had an interest in the same sex as myself. I would constantly be reminded by my older siblings, not to judge boys, making me feel as if there was something horribly wrong with myself. As years went on I was repeatedly spoken to about how men are suppose to act, and that some of my actions were those of a faggot. As a young being growing up in a world I knew very little about I listened to those harsh words of advice and adjusted my actions to be more “masculine.” I slowly started to suppress my homosexuality, causing intense internalized homophobia, that lead to harassing some of my peers and inflicting pain onto myself all throughout middle school.

When I reached high school I surrounded myself with a whole new group of friends who made me feel welcomed. I gradually learned to trust my new friends with knowing the real me and came out to them my sophomore year. All my friends were accepting towards my sexuality and others came out as well. After coming out to my friends, I came out to my mother who said she was fine with it, but a few months after she showed her true colors by calling me a faggot. My mother and I have gotten close again but nothing near how it use to be before I came out.

I heard stories that being gay is a dangerous way to live, but so is not being true to yourself. I have spent many years in and after high school regaining confidence within myself to be who I was put on this earth to be, myself, and there is no turning back for me.