Our next story in our “Out October Project” comes from a woman who found the one she wants to be with and live with, she’s found the one she loves and she wants the world to know it. Sadly, the world can’t know it yet for her other half has just gone into the military. So this story comes to us from an anonymous woman. Not anonymous because she’s scared, anonymous because she has to be… for now. However, things in that area may be changing and hope continues to show in these stories of being who you are and not being afraid.
I’m an eighteen-year old female living in a small town in California.
Yes, I am proud of whom I am, as everyone in this world should be.
I came out to friends and family my senior year in high school. Everyone accepted me which led me to great joy and pure overwhelming happiness that I had held in for many years. I was finally able to be ME. My studies were important to me and I also enjoyed the social life with friends. Meeting new people has been exciting for me. Hearing their stories and getting to know peoples’ different backgrounds was something I enjoyed and still do.
There’s one person I met who I was very amazed with. Her stories and life experiences kept me wanting to hear more. And through our strong friendship we created a bond that I like to call LOVE. For the next several months we spent almost everyday together learning more and more about each other and loving each moment of it. We were unstoppable from there on out. Until just recently when she left for boot camp for the next three months. I don’t get to hear or see my soul mate, the love of my life, and best friend. Yes, it’s going to be difficult.. and three months doesn’t seem too long but it’s the next five years following that, which keeps me in constant fear.
I am so proud of her and love that she’s serving our country. What breaks my heart is that, she is fighting for our country but can’t be who she is and has to keep silent. Her rights can be taken away at any time and she can lose everything she worked for just because they find out who she truly is. Her personal life has always been aside from her jobs and I know in taking this oath she is going to give her all in serving and protecting. And that’s what counts. If she’s a good soldier then that’s what matters the MOST. Everyone in the service deserves their equal rights. For their sake, their family’s, and their loved ones.
Remember, there are always options.
The Trevor Project: a 24-hour hotline for gay and questioning youth: 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)