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An Open Letter To LGBT Kids During The Holidays

You are strong and you are not alone.

Ashley Murtha

Dec 26, 2016

Moorhead, Minnesota

An Open Letter To LGBT Kids During The Holidays

History

This holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy, excitement, and family time. For some people that's perfect and they love spending time with their families, but others, there are problems that can't be overlooked during the holidays. LGBT kids deal with those problems every day.

There are so many LGBT kids who feel like they can't come out to their family for many different reasons. If they did decide to come out, they might be forced out of the house or completely unaccepted by family members. Others simply aren't ready to come out to their family for any reason. I want to let these kids know that their reasons are all valid, no matter what the reason is.

If you are scared to come out to your family, I never want you to feel forced to come out. If you are dating someone and they insinuate that you have to come out in order to continue dating them, don't listen to them. Coming out is a path that only you can take. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you and it is up to you to choose when you take what steps.

I know a lot of you feel unsafe in your own homes. I just want you to know that you are valid. Your identity is valid. There is nothing wrong with you no matter what your family might say about the community. They are wrong. You are part of a loving community who accepts you for who you are and anything that your family might say to the contrary is not true.

I believe in you. You can do anything that you set your mind to and I promise that things will get better. I know that it doesn't seem like it right now, in the middle of the holiday season when you're surrounded by your family, but it really does.

I wish I would have known these things when I was struggling to come out. If I would have known the amazing support I would have when I came out, I would not have worried so much about it. I have been lucky with my friends and family. I haven't had the experience that you have had to deal with, but I'm telling you that I'm here for you and I will give you support in whatever way that I possibly can. Whether that's these words or future comfort. I want you to know that there is always someone out there who will help you through everything.

You can make it through the holidays. I know you can. Now go out and be the amazing person that you were meant to be whether you're still working on that person or have already found them. I believe in you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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An Open Letter To LGBT Kids During The Holidays

You are strong and you are not alone.

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

12. Take a Walk

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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