Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Politics and Activism

In Honor Of "Coming Out Day"

Why you and the groups you identify as are valid.

Corby Smith

Oct 18, 2016

Delaware College of Art and Design

Wikipedia

National Coming Out Day was this past Tuesday, so I thought I'd share some thoughts.

First off, I'm so proud of anyone who came out this past week because of Coming Out Day, or anyone that is celebrating a coming-out-anniversary. You are brave and amazing and you deserve to love or not love whoever you want. You deserve to be in the body and the assigned gender that feels right for you. You deserve to be able to say no, and if you haven't come out yet, know that it's okay. There will be a time when you feel safe and secure enough to do so. There will be someone or a group of someones that will come along and make you feel good about yourself and will support your choices and will ultimately help you to live your best life.

I'm so

happy that I'm apart of a community (school, work, and family/friends) that will support me no matter what, but I know this is not always the case. If you don't have a support system or a group in which you feel safe to be you, just know that there are so many people out there who are struggling in similar ways. In this day and age, I like to think we are moving forward, however slowly, to be more positive and ethical and understanding of the human condition. But I know that's not entirely true, so here is my tip to you: anyone who is vicious or mean and refuses to even try to understand another's point of view is not worth your time. If you think you can help them become less ignorant, then great! If not, don't waste your time or energy because it will just put you down

Asexual, bisexual, pansexual, heterosexual, homosexual, transsexual, male, female — you get the idea — and everything in between: you matter and you deserve the best things out of life. I don't care how cheesy this sounds because we are not told this enough. It is okay and encouraged to be your authentic self. You deserve to identify as whatever you damn well please because anything less than that is not okay.

In the words of Aibileen Clark from The Help:

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

And don't you ever forget it!

From Your Site Articles

None ›

Report this Content

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

Relationships

11 Signs You've Found The Ultimate Friend Group

They are the types of friends you have for life.

Western Washington University

440

Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

8 Things All Siblings Know Too Well

As told by Ross and Monica Geller.

Clarion University

335

FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less

ross and monica

Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

University of Connecticut

616

Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less

sorority girls

Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

Westfield State University

588

coconut tree near shore within mountain range

Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.