Mother’s Love

?️‍?Happy Pride Month, my friends!?️‍?
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I have been blessed to have unwavering support my entire life.
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I can remember my tomboy, elementary school self shopping in the little boys section with my mom who never made me feel like I was in the wrong section.
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I can remember my mom sitting me down in 6th grade to tell me that she thought it might be time I wear a top to the beach, but just a t-shirt would be fine.
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I remember buying my first girl’s outfit in 7th grade from Limited Too, and my mom telling me I didn’t have to do that to fit in if I didn’t want to.
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I remember my 19 year old self denying that I was gay when my mom would ask and tell me that it was okay if I was.
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I remember my 21 year old self, panicked because my mom was about to be visiting me at college for my graduation…thinking, “I have to tell her before she comes here…I don’t want to introduce my girlfriend as just my friend.” I was student teaching and I texted her and said- we need to talk tonight. She replied- is everything okay?? “Yes, we just need to talk before you come here.”
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She called me right as she walked out of work- “is everything okay?? Are you sick?? What’s wrong??” All I could do was cry. I cried. And cried. And cried on the phone. I couldn’t speak. I was terrified. She said “what is it??? Are you gay? You have a girlfriend???” YES! Yes, yes! Oh. My. Goodness. What a freakin’ relief. She said, “okay?? Why are you so sad??”
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I wasn’t sad. I was so relieved to finally be myself.
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Admitting to my friends and family that I am gay was the scariest thing I’ve ever had to do…and I KNEW they would be supportive. I KNEW I wouldn’t lose a single person in my life when I chose to openly live my truth.
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Imagine how people in the LGBTQ community feel who aren’t as lucky? I can’t imagine the fear and angst and courage it takes for those people to live their truth.
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In honor of the month, just remember, no matter what you believe….
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WE ARE ALL HUMAN!! Love is so much more powerful than hate!!
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This story was submitted by a human named Lindsay!