I didn’t tell my mom it was school-photo day, and I dressed myself. She had no idea until three months later, when the large package of photos came in the mail and she saw them. But it was worth it to me to dress the way I felt most comfortable. As a little girl, the thought of being forced to wear a dress gave me the cold sweats. I’m forty-five now, and I still don’t own a dress! When we’re young we’re told a lot of things, such as how to act, what to do, what to believe, and how to feel. Then with time we find out what really matters to us. Yes, it was hard growing up gay. But, looking back now, I wouldn’t change a thing. It made me who I am today: a strong, creative, and caring person.
