Argumentative Essay on the Importance of Being Different

This is the biggest decision I have had to ever make, and I think it will stay that way for the rest of my life. Others see me as not right; I am shunned for being different from what society wants and trying to fit in is hard as there is no one like me in my friendship circle. People think they have it hard, well try being gay and not fully accepted for what you want to be within your family.

At first, I wanted to hide the fact that I felt different, I felt that it was wrong, and I didn’t really know what the feeling was I just wasn’t attracted to girls and I thought that was wrong so I held it in for years. I think I’ve fully known since I came to secondary school and everyone already knew but I wanted to keep it hidden from my family as I felt that I wouldn’t be accepted. As there has never been a family member that I know that’s a part of the LGBTQI+ community. Therefore, I did not really grow up with the knowledge that I wish I had so I could have got myself together earlier. So that I could enjoy my life as a proud gay person and not try to badly hide it from everyone, but I think the real person I was trying to hide it from was myself. I really should not have been because I know now that it is okay to feel the way that I feel.

However, I am not saying that was easy. Coming out is something that many people don’t have to go through, so they do not really know the struggle of trying to say the words in the right way? Digging deep to know if that is how you really feel and at the back of your mind your always second guess what is going to happen after this. That if you are going to be accepted or rejected. I was told to hide it by my parents for the first three mouths. I did and I know that I shouldn’t have cause the people in my life at this time couldn’t experience the real me and I feel like I should not need to as straight people do not need to change for anyone so why should gays or anyone in the LGBTQI+ community.

There are also many stereotypes surrounding the gay community. With one of biggest being that, gay men want to be some sort of female either crossdressing or getting cosmetic surgery, this is seen by mostly straight men thinking that gay men want to be female and they are mistaken unless that gay person says otherwise. Another is that gay man always has a feminine speaking tone, which can somewhat be true in some cases but not all the time as there are people who aren’t represented by their sexual preference. They treat it the same as being straight and I think I am the opposite as I feel that when people look at me they can tell straight away that I’m gay as they should, because I don’t want to hide it, I wear it like a badge of honour as I feel its powerful to be somewhat different from society. If you do not have close gay friends, then it is good to be different from them as it makes you stand out from the crowd. Sometimes this can be good but also bad as you could be bullied for being different and for not fitting in. This bullying can mostly be by straight men as they can be scared that they might take my liking, but I have a type and none of them is it! They are also do not like change or someone that does not act like them and that is not me!

I failed to mention that when I was growing up, I did have someone who helped me discover myself. Growing up we would always wear wigs and his mum’s heels and go around the back and blast music and dance until the sun came down. He introduced me to the world of drag through this, if it wasn’t for the moments with him in my childhood I wouldn’t know what I want to do with my life when I grow up which is kind of embarrassing to say but it’s true. I owe this person so much and for making my childhood a good experience and for helping me come out, I do not know how I could ever thank him. So, without this person I don’t know if I would be my full self that I am today and the person I am writing this so I do thank him from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful experience that was my childhood.

My experience with being gay was somewhat good. I was accepted throughout my family and there was not any judgement, wasn’t any questioning with it expect from my mum, but not in a bad way she would just ask things like “how do you know that you are gay”? Which I get as she has never really experienced having a gay son or has any close friends that are gay, so this was new to her and I completely understand where she’s coming from. Then again, I do not feel like I should really need to explain myself to anyone they should just accept me for me and not ask such personal questions unless they are wanted for asked for.

In conclusion, I am proud of myself for overcoming my fears of coming out, I’m also proud to be a part of the LGBTQI+ community as I know not all of the people that are in it had a good childhood and have not been bullied in their paths to adulthood. For the people who built this community and gave it relevance thank you so much if it was not for them, I could not be the person I am today.