After all the worry and anxiety about coming out of the closet, I’m still here, proving myself wrong just by living and being happy, Jacqueline Beaudoin writes
First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines atI know this is like swinging a bat at a hornet’s nest, but I think the vast majority of proverbial sayings are born of laziness. For example, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and “good things come to those who wait” aren’t all that helpful. You can still improve something even if it’s already technically working, and waiting is the perfect way to lose out on important opportunities in life.
You might call it excessive, but in fact, I actually wrote that essay for my mom. All right, technically it was a personal essay for my English class, which got a pretty nice mark, but it also clearly outlined my thought process and I could reference it in case I panicked. In a way, the essay was a sort of security blanket: It compelled me to come out to my teacher, much like I had already done with my pediatrician and entire circle of friends.
How do you go about telling your mom, who has known you as a boy since before you were born, that you’re a girl? Many people choose not to do it at all, hiding their identities indefinitely. That wouldn’t work for my family. We’ve dealt with enough lies and misinformation, and I wouldn’t want to be one of those lies.
It felt like a leap of faith, not knowing whether the floor would give out under the weight of my words, but I touched solid ground and stuck the landing. Through the static in my head, I heard her say, “I love you. You’ll always be my child, no matter how you present yourself or whoever you are.” The tension in the room disappeared. We came together and held each other, and I said, “I love you too, Mom.” and the worries I harboured for years faded away.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
▶️ ‘I’m A Lucky Guy’: Alex Trebek Thanks Fans Amid Cancer BattleThe outpouring of support has not gone unnoticed by the long-time 'Jeopardy!' host.
Read more »
I’m watching my country lose its mind because of BrexitThe state of turmoil will end soon – time really is running out to come up with a plan or call the whole thing off – but for now, I can look around at the wreckage and simply marvel, writes Adam Foulds
Read more »
‘Magical’ holiday shirts and $5 pizzas: Why I’m still passing on Pizza Pizza’s dividendThe proliferation of third-party delivery apps such as SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats, growing competition from U.S. pizza giants Domino’s and Papa John’s and a fast-food consumer hooked on discounts have all contributed to Pizza Pizza’s woes
Read more »
Man killed daughter to make his estranged wife suffer, Crown tells murder trialA Crown prosecutor says a Newfoundland man murdered his five-year-old daughter in a calculated plan to inflict suffering on her mother, his estranged wife.
Read more »
Court document claims mother had cocaine, other drugs in system when son drownedToxicology tests allegedly found cocaine, alcohol and other drugs in the system of an Ontario mother at the time her three-year-old son disappeared into a raging river. Kaden Young was later found to have died of drowning.
Read more »
Kaden Young's mother allegedly tested positive for cocaine, OxyContin on night of son's drowning: court docsThe mother of a toddler who drowned after being swept into the Grand River last year allegedly tested positive for Percocet, OxyContin, and cocaine on the night of her son’s death, according to a letter outlined in recently available family court documents.
Read more »
Thousands rally in Algeria as protest leaders tell army not to interferePresident Abdelaziz Bouteflika bowed to the protesters last week by announcing he would not stand for another term. But he stopped short of stepping down immediately
Read more »
Mother arrested for abduction, 8-year-old Edmonton boy found unharmed, Amber Alert cancelledPolice say the boy’s mother has been charged with one count of abduction, and the boy has been returned to his father.
Read more »
Insanity defence set for man who dropped daughter off bridgeA Florida father accused of killing his 5-year-old daughter by dropping her off a bridge is going on trial with his attorneys expected to say he was insane.
Read more »