Running head: FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 1

Finding Balance in a Heterosexual Society

Victoria A. Collins

Creighton University: CPS 170

FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 2

Introduction

The United States is a very diverse country with a multicultural society. We have the

world’s largest economy and were the leading force behind the development of the internet. So,

one would assume that the United States is the most accepting country with all the different

races, religions, and gender identities, right? Wrong. As much as we like to say, we are the

“Land of the Free,” we place many people into oppressed groups just because they do not fit our

mold of what we consider to be the “norm.” By becoming aware with the different identities that

one person has, we can educate ourselves on the different groups in the United States and within

the LGBTQ community.

As a straight woman, I can have many different identities on how I view myself, from my

personal identity, social identity, self-identity, and gender identity. One’s personal identity is a

concept that we develop over time. Some of the aspects that come along with our personal

identity, we have no control over such as where we grew up, the color of our skin, as well as the

many different choices we make throughout our life, like what we choose to believe in. Our

social identity is based on what groups we are classified into, such as social class, our family, or

an athletic team we choose to join. The groups that people belong to are shown to be an

important source of pride and self-esteem (Tajfel 1982). Self-identity can generally be confused

with our personal identity, but it refers to the global understanding that we have of ourselves.

The knowledge of our skills and abilities goes into our self-identity, along with our occupation

and hobbies. But gender identity, has been the most controversial and talked about identity

within our society lately. The gender that we identify with can correlate with our assigned sex

from birth, or it can be completely different. All societies have a set of gender categories that can

serve as the basis of the formations of one’s gender identity. Understanding the different types of
FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 3

identity that any one person can consume, we will be able to have a better view and

understanding of the oppression placed on the LGBTQ community.

A growing oppressed group, is that of the LGBTQ community. What does LGBTQ stand

for? Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Transgender. Questioning, or sometimes known as Queer.

Educating one’s self on the LGBTQ community will help provide information on one’s

heterosexual privilege and how one is benefitting from simply being straight. Everyone wants to

be different until being different causes them to be harassed, beaten, or have their life threatened.

I chose to “encounter” the privilege of heterosexism because I have people whom are very close

to me who are members of the LGBTQ community, whom do not feel comfortable coming out,

and I would like to help to be able to educate other people in the community and my family

about the LGBTQ community.

Encountering My Own Privilege

I have always been aware of my privilege as being a white female because I have always

been around the minority groups. I was able to see and learn many different cultures, to gain a

“behind the scenes” view on different races that are portrayed poorly in the media. Therefore, I

have always been drawn to people of different races and cultures, but I have still always been

very aware of my white privilege, like being asked by police officers if I am “okay,” when being

pulled over in a car of black people. But, until this class, I have not truly paid enough attention to

my privilege that comes along with being straight. I had an ignorant mindset that being straight

was the “norm,” but every gender identity is the norm. I have heard people say that “people

choose to be gay,” but nobody would choose to be so different where they are oppressed on a

regular basis.
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Growing up, I have always had role models of my gender and sexual orientation that I

could look up to and know, that I could be just like them! Those who are a part of the LGBTQ

community rarely have that. Every day, more and more people are coming out, but it is a big step

in one’s life and they are criticized every step of the way for it. I also do not have to “come out”

to my parents and family members, explaining to them that I am straight. I can just assume that

my family will think I am straight and I will not have to justify why I love who I love. This is not

the same for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual. They have to gain enough

courage to explain to their parents that they are not straight, and hope that their parents will

accept them for who they truly are. Being straight, I also have the privilege to move to any state,

knowing that my marriage to the person that I love will be accepted and be a “legal marriage.” I

also do not have to worry about people asking me, “how does sex work for you?” or other

personal questions by strangers. I can walk along the street in any city holding hands with the

person that I love, knowing that I will not be harassed, beaten, or killed. There have been many

incidences where gay people are killed and harassed just for being their true self. Heterosexism is

prevalent in the daily lives of those whom are a part of the LGBTQ community.

History

The gay rights movement in the United States has had tremendous progress in the last

century, and especially in the last two decades. Being gay is no longer viewed as a mental illness

to the American Psychiatric Association; LGBTQ individuals are now allowed to serve openly in

the military; laws prohibiting same-sex marriage has been banned, and same-sex couples can

now adopt in all 50 states. The beginning of the 21st century opened a new door on the emphasis

of transgender individuals and an increase of the terminology that questioned one’s gender

identity was noticed. It has not always been a clear path for those fighting for gay rights, and the
FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 5

fight for equal employment, housing and transgender rights is still not over. But with the help of

images of trans men and women becoming more prevalent in media, we are opening a new door

to identity and are that much closer to accepting it.

Throughout the history of the United States, many things have been added to the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but nothing has been more surprising

that being gay was once considered a mental illness. The American Psychiatric Association listed

homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disturbance in 1952. It was not until nearly 20 years

of studies, analysis, and changing cultural attitudes, that the APA considered removing

homosexuality from the official list of mental illnesses (Drescher, 2015). This only resulted after

comparing theories with those that viewed it as normal and was upheld with a vote by the APA’s

membership.

A now-famous even that catalyzed the gay rights movement, was the Stonewall Riots in

1969. The Stonewall Inn was an underground gay club in Greenwich Village, that welcomed

drag queens and homeless youths, while allowing them to dance. During the early hours of June

28, 1969, the New York City police raided the gay bar. The patrons of the bar were fed up of

police harassment, so they decided to fight back by throwing objects at the police as patrons

were being arrested. This commotion erupted into a three-day riot, with additional protests that

lasted for five more days. The Stonewall riots marked the beginning of the transformation of the

gay rights movement and the first gay pride parade came about in recognition of the riots on June

28, 1970 (Cusac, 1999).

Harvey Milk was inaugurated as San Francisco’s city supervisor on January 9, 1978.

Milk had become a leading political activist for the gay community, when he became the first

openly gay man to be elected to a political office in California. Dan White, a former colleague of
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Milk’s, had resigned and wanted Mayor George Moscone to reappoint him. When White was

denied his former position, he assassinated Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone in November

1978. White was only given just over five years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of the

two political leaders. Harvey Milk has inspired many people in the LGBTQ community,

including Gilbert Baker, whom designed and stitched together the first rainbow flag that now

represents the PRIDE community (Donahue, 2014). President Obama has posthumously honored

Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom and because of his civil-rights activism, his birthday,

May 22, has been declared as Harvey Milk Day. Without the role of Harvey Milk, the anti-

discrimination measure in politics and within society may never have taken off quite like it did.

Encountering the Oppressed Group

“It’s like walking through a hailstorm…” said one mother of a gender non-conforming

son, while describing the hostile environment that her son and other students of the LGBTQ

community face (Thoreson, 2016). Personal discrimination and institutional oppression tend to

go hand-in-hand with those in the LGBTQ community. Many students are targeted, regardless of

their sexual orientation or gender identity, but it can be especially problematic for lesbian, gay,

bisexual, or transgender students. Schools rarely have policies and/or practices in place that

support LGBTQ youth, which causes these students to face bullying and discrimination. With a

failure to implement these practices, LGBTQ students are being forced to put their physical and

psychological well-being on the line and their education can be at risk as well.

In my high school, there were not very many students whom were open about being gay

or bisexual; there were no students, to my knowledge, that were open about being lesbian or

transgender, so there were not any policies to protect these students. I remember two guys in my

high school, whom were also black – which put them in another oppressed group, that were very
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open about their sexuality. This caused many other students to target them just because they were

comfortable with their sexuality. Many of the other students, especially the black students, would

beat up these students just for being gay. The LGBTQ students, in my high school, were in such

a high-risk to be beaten up or harassed anytime they entered a bathroom, that they were asked to

use the faculty restrooms. Since it became a “he-said-she-said” ordeal, the students whom were

targeting the gay students, were left unpunished and the oppressed students were left feeling as if

they were the problem. If my high school had policies set in place to protect these students, we

would not have to force these students into a different bathroom.

Many LGBTQ people ask their partners to stay in the closet with them, as a way to not

“out” themselves. Some people in the LGBTQ community do not agree with how other members

of the gay community do not fit in. Some members of this oppressed group also feel as if they

cannot come out, even in safe communities for fear they will be targeted. Some even think of

committing suicide because of their sexuality; many students in my high school committed

suicide because they were bullied so much because they were gay. These are examples of the

expression: “Internalized homophobia.” It is an expression that many LGBTQ people suffer from

without even realizing it. The first part of the expression, “internalized”, is the first barrier that

cause many people to reject the idea. “The concept suggest weakness rather than the resilience

demonstrated by lesbians and gay men and keeps the focus away from the structures of

inequality and oppression” (Williamson, 2000). “Homophobia” is the next barrier. Seems

illogical, right? How can someone of the LGBTQ community have all these negative feelings

towards themselves? But researchers have stated that using “heterosexism” adds depth to the

meaning and understanding of oppression on the LGBTQ community (Eliason & Schope, 2007).
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Those who decide to take the step of coming out, realize that this large step in their life,

can also be the most dangerous one. Being honest about one’s identity can result in violence,

rejection, loss of home, and loss of employment. Many LGBTQ members stress about how their

family is going to react once they express to them that they are anything but straight. Having this

chronic stressor can result in many negative consequences, such as sleeplessness, depression,

anxiety disorders, heart disease, and high blood pressure (Meyer & Dean, 1998). Many people

whom are part of the “out group” of the LGBTQ community have strong reactions, when other

members express concern or are unwilling about coming out. Many “out” members will show

support to those whom are fearful about coming out, but it can also bring along strong views of

judgment and painful memories. When Ellen DeGeneres came out in April of 1997, many other

members of the LGBTQ community felt more comfortable with expressing their sexuality

openly. More gay and lesbian people are more comfortable with who they are when they have

people in the media, whom are idolized, that they can relate to.

On a personal level, I can see how I stayed on the path of least resistance while in high

school. I rarely stood up for the students whom were targeted and I have realized how I justified

how my school reacted during the times when LGBTQ students were harassed. I took my

heterosexism privilege and did not think about how it was affecting other people around me. I

could have used my privilege to educate my friends that were bullies to the LGBTQ students. I

always stood up for the students who I would see being physically harassed or bullied, but I

never thought about the words that I would hear some of my friends and classmates using to

describe LGBTQ students and how that was also harassment, and in some aspects, more harmful.

Making myself aware of my privilege as a straight, white woman, I am now more incline to

protect those of any oppressed group. I will step of the path of least resistance any chance that
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comes my way.

Working for Change

During my senior year of high school, more and more students were a part of the LGBT

program. I never paid attention to how beneficial the group was, because I was allowing my

privilege to blind me from those being oppressed. But, the LGBTQ groups that high schools and

universities put in place allow students to feel as if they have a safe, welcoming place to go to, in

a world that can seem against them. More and more members of the LGBTQ community are able

to openly express their sexuality in society. There are days to bring awareness to the LGBTQ

community; gay and lesbian pride month is celebrated during the month of June, and the last

Sunday of June is National Pride Day. Although, the LGBTQ community has these days to

represent them, they are still extremely underrepresented in the media and the laws that our

country has to abide by. Institutional discrimination is the biggest problem that the LGBTQ

members have to face. If we set policies that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender

people more, they will personally face less discrimination against them.

Education is broader than curricular learning, but that right is being undermined by

policies and procedures that do not ensure the safety of the LGBTQ students. In order to

encourage LGBTQ youth participation in extracurricular activities and school events, schools

must implement policies against bullying and harassment that establish and clearly specify what

constitutes as bullying (Thoreson, 2016). Schools must ensure that these policies will hold the

perpetrators accountable for their actions and will respond to all incidences of bullying and

harassment, whether the victim files a written complaint or not. By educating students on the

comprehensive sexuality, that is medically and scientifically accurate, students will be more
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understanding of their LGBTQ classmates. Implementing these procedures not only will hold the

offenders responsible, but it will also result in a more protected and accepting environment for

the LGBTQ youth.

In order to give support to the LGBTQ community, there have been a growing number of

organizations in Omaha that are constantly working for a change with the stigma associated

within the LGBTQ community. The Open Arms Transgender Youth Group is an organization in

Omaha that provides support for transgender youth, along with their friends and families. Trans

Lifeline is a non-profit organization that dedicates their work to the well-being of transgender

people. It is a hotline that is staffed by transgender people for transgender people and are able to

give support wherever needed. The Queer Nebraska Youth Network plans and assists in social

events for those whom are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender and their families. They plan

many different events to help promote the health of well-being of the LGBTQ members. They

also help provide support to cope with the hostile environment, advocate to end discrimination

and secure equal civil rights within the community, and most importantly (to me), they educate;

they provide answers that families might have.

Living as a privileged, heterosexual person, I struggled with my 30-day pledge. I was

unaware how I could make a difference, until I realized, I was not educated. I am more than

aware of my white privilege and how I benefit from it on a day to day basis, but not so much of

my heterosexual privilege. I knew I would have to first educate myself if I wanted to able to

educate others. By learning what LGBTQ stands for, I was able to respect the diversity that

comes along with it. Knowing the proper terms for the LGBTQ community is important to me so

I do not disrespect anyone, by ignorantly saying a term that could be deemed as homophobic.
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After I made sure I was educated in what LGBTQ stands for and how it represents the people it

stands for, I was almost overwhelmed, because I was focusing too much on what my task at hand

was. I had no idea how I was going to be able to make a change and use my heterosexual

privilege to my advantage, until I stopped thinking about what I had to do. When I was able to

focus on “doing the right thing”, I noticed I was a lot more aware when I could step in and stand

up for those being oppressed. It was easier for me to stand up to those whom I was not closest to

because I was not afraid if they called me terrible names once I walked away, or disagreed with

what I was telling them. But it was definitely more difficult, for me, to stand up to those whom

are closest to me, because I did not want to upset anybody that I love. Making myself and others

around me aware of the privileges that come along with being straight are able to help me

educate myself and others, how we are affecting those in the LGBTQ community.

Conclusion

Becoming aware of my many privileges, I am able to step off the path of least resistance

to stand up for those whom are being oppressed. Understanding that those in the LGBTQ

community did not pick and choose whom they want to love, we will be more accepting of those

who do not love the same as us. In order to fully overcome the oppression of the LGBTQ

community, we need to stay mindful of policies and statures that are in place to protect them. If

we become aware of policies and procedures that are supposed to protect the LGBTQ

community, and are not correctly doing so, we need to reach out to help, so we can have equal

rights within our society. Becoming aware of my heterosexual privilege, I am able to see how my

privileged group effects those whom represent the oppressed group.

Having a bisexual best friend in my life, I am now more aware of the oppressions she is

affected by because of my own privileges; I will be committed to staying attentive of my

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privileges and how it could be distressing to her. If I show people that I am not afraid to stand up

for those being oppressed, maybe somebody else will have the courage to do so as well. Taking

one step off the path of least resistance could make a world of a difference, even if it just helps

the one specific situation.

We all long for belonging; whether it is our best friend that is the yin to our yang; we

want to be understood, so we search and search for similarities that others have with us. But on

the other hand, we have a dire need to stand out and be “different”; thus, we search for

differences, like those who love differently than us. By understanding the distinctions that come

with the privileged – oppressed groups, we are able to see how we need each other to progress as

a society. We cannot ask the oppressed groups to just “get over it”, we need to help change the

minds of the privileged group. In order to keep our inner balance, of yin and yang, we need to

equalize both by allowing them to become equals.

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References

Cusac, A. (1999). The promise of Stonewall. Progressive, 63(8), 10.

Donahue, D. M. (2014). Learning from Harvey Milk: The limits and opportunities of one hero to

teach about LGBTQ people and issues. Social Studies, 105(1), 36-44. doi:

10.1080/00377996.2013.788474

Drescher, J. (2015). Out of DSM: Depathologizing Homosexuality. Behavioral Sciences, 5(4),

565-575. doi: 10.3390/bs5040565

Eliason, M. J., Schope, R. (2007). Shifting sands or solid foundations? Lesbian, gay, bisexual,

and transgender identity formation. The Health Of Sexual Minorities: Public Health

Perspectives On Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Health.

Meyer, I. H., Dean, L. (1998). Internalized homophobia, intimacy, and sexual behavior among

gay and bisexual men. G.M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma And Sexual Orientation: Understanding

Prejudice Against Lesbians, Gay Men, And Bisexuals. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Publications; 1998. pp. 160–186.

Tajfel, H. (1982). Social psychology of intergroup relations. Annual Review Of Psychology,

33(1), 1.

Thoreson, R. (2016). “Like walking through a hailstorm": Discrimination against LGBT youth in

US schools. New York: Human Rights Watch.

Williamson, Iain R. (2000). Internalized homophobia and health issues affecting lesbians and

gay men. Oxford University Press.

FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 14

Appendix A: Historical Timeline

1924 – The Society for Human Rights in Chicago is founded by Henry Gerber. It is the country’s
earliest known gay rights organization.

1950 – The first national gay rights organization, The Mattachine Society, is formed by Harry
Hay. The Society focuses on social acceptance and other support for homosexuals.

April 1952 – The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual lists homosexuality as a
sociopathic personality disturbance.

April 27, 1953 – An executive order was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower that banned
homosexuals from working for the federal government, stating they are a security risk.

September 1955 – The Daughters of Bilitis was established in San Francisco and is the first
known lesbian rights organization.

July 1961 – Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts by repealing their
sodomy laws.

June 28, 1969 – Police raid a gay bar at the Stonewall Inn in New York City and patrons fight
back, sparking a three-day riot, which begins to transform the gay rights movement.

January 1, 1973 – Maryland becomes the first state to ban same-sex marriage.

December 15, 1973 – The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list
of mental disorders in the DSM-II.

January 9, 1978 – Harvey Milk is the first openly gay man to be elected to a political office in
California.

November 27, 1978 – Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone are assassinated.

October 14, 1979 – The first and largest National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay
Rights takes place.

March 2, 1982 – Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual
orientation.

1984 – The city of Berkeley, California, becomes the first city to offer its employees domestic-
partnership benefits.
FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 15

November 30, 1993 – President Bill Clinton signs the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, permitting
gay men to serve in the military but banning homosexual activity.

September 21, 1996 – President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, banning federal
recognition of same-sex marriages and defines marriage as “a legal union between one man and
one woman as husband and wife.”

April 1997 – Comedian Ellen DeGeneres comes out on Time magazine, stating, “Yep, I’m Gay.”

April 26, 2000 – Vermont becomes the first state to legally recognize civil unions between same-
sex couples.

May 17, 2004 – The first legal same-sex marriage takes place in Massachusetts.

November 2007 – The House of Representatives approves a bill to ensure equal rights in the
workplace for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.

August 12, 2009 – President Obama retrospectively awards Harvey Milk the Medal of Freedom.

September 20, 2011 – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed and puts an end on banning gay men
and lesbians from openly serving in the military.

May 9, 2012 – President Barack Obama becomes the first sitting U.S. president to publicly
support the freedom of LGBT couples to marry.

June 26, 2015 – The Supreme Court rules that state cannot ban same-sex marriage.

June 30, 2016 – The Secretary of Defense announces the lift on the ban on transgender people
serving openly in the military.

July 26, 2017 – President Donald Trump announces via Twitter that “…the U.S. Government
will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military…”

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.infoplease.com/us/gender-issues/american-gay-rights-movement-timeline
FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 16

Appendix B: 30-Day Pledge

10/31- Halloween night was the last place I expected to partake in my 30-day pledge. However,
after seeing with my own eyes, how truly hurtful heterosexuals can be; I had no choice, but to
intervene. An individual who either may or may not have been homosexual had on a costume in
which one may have thought he was a female. The fact that a group of men went out of their way
to make fun of this young man for his costume was unbelieve to me. Everyone dresses up for
Halloween, so even if one thinks an individual’s costume is too revealing or not, it is irrelevant.
So if a guy would like to dress up as a woman or a female would like to dress up as a man; it’s a
holiday and no one is of higher stature than another, in terms of deciding whether a costume is
“alright” or acceptable to wear. Therefore, I decided to walk over and tell him that I really liked
his costume and this seemed to anger the group harassing him. I could have made a scene and
been rude that that group of men, but that would only make me as childish as they were acting.
I’m sure that events such as this have happened around me before, but I was too oblivious to see
them. This 30-day pledge has opened my eyes to the horrendous situations and actions placed
upon the LBGTQ community.

11/15- A good friend of mine tutors’ individuals on the Midland University campus every
Wednesday night. Since I had to do some homework I decided to tag along to campus with him,
so I could have some peace and quiet. On our walk to the library, we passed a small kiosk or
group of individuals trying to get people to join their club/organization. Since I just so happened
to be doing my 30-day pledge, I decided to go out of my way to approach this group of
individuals (despite being a Creighton student). The fact that every individual was so polite and
inviting was quite eye opening to me. I may be a heterosexual individual, but that didn’t seem to
matter to them at all. Even though individuals of the LGBTQ being discriminated upon at almost
every situation in which they can be; they do no reciprocate this upon outsiders. This just goes to
show that everyone is not as cold hearted as some may assume. Sexual orientation should not be
as big of a deal as it is and this event goes to show that heterosexuals are more of a problem than
those of the LGBTQ movement.

12/2- A few friends and I decided to attend a woman’s college hockey game on Saturday
afternoon. The game was close and much more exciting than I planned for it to be. However, I
couldn’t help myself from overhearing a conversation between a few individuals in front of us in
the bleachers. This conversation involved this group of individuals making fun of a few girls on
the team for being homosexual and/or bisexual. They made the comments a few times and I let it
go, but I could not let this conversation continue once I heard them all say that these girls would
“be more attractive” if they were heterosexual, rather than homosexual and/or bisexual. I think
that the conversation as a whole was absolutely disgusting and honestly was pointless to even
discuss, so I made sure that I let that entire group of individuals know so. Yes, this did become
somewhat of a scene because the entire group decided to move to another section of the
bleachers. However, I could not allow this talk to continue regardless of me knowing the girls
being discussed or not. The fact that their sexual orientation was the topic of discussion for these
individuals only goes to show that this topic is far more relevant than it should be.
FINDING BALANCE IN A HETEROSEXUAL SOCIETY 17

Appendix C: My Deeper Encounter with Privilege  Oppression

I have been best friends with my best friend, Sabrina, for almost 10 years now. Although,
we cannot quite remember how we even became friends, we met each other during cheer our
freshman year of high school. Going through high school, we would always be at each other’s
side whether we had class together or not. We got into trouble together and served twenty-four
hours of detention together junior year, we had the same guidance counselor and assistant
principal, but, no matter what, we stuck with each other through everything. I remember a
specific class that I transferred into my senior year and I had told Sabrina to switch classes so we
could have one of our final classes together. The following day after I had transferred into the
class, Sabrina had tried, and our guidance counselor told her that she was unable to transfer into
the class because the class was full. The next day, three more students transferred into the same
class that I was even, even though Sabrina was told that it was full and no other students had
dropped it. Later that week, Sabrina and I were complaining to our coach about how we could
not have class together and how it was unfair. Our coach, whom was basically our only mother
figure, came to us and stated she needed to ask us a serious question… “Are you two gay
together?” It never occurred to me that just because we were so close, we would be looked at as
lesbians. Our coach must have noticed the shocked look upon our faces because she hurriedly
stated that Mrs. Gardner, our guidance counselor, had approached her asking her if she knew if
we “had a thing and were gay.” In high school, we had thought it was the most outlandish thing
that could have happened, and we were not aware that she could have been in trouble for
discriminating against us, so we did the only thing we knew what to do: make a joke out of it.

Fast forward three years and my best friend, Sabrina, decided it was the right time to
come out to me as bisexual. I have never thought of her any differently and I love her even more
that she knows she can trust me enough with showing me the real her. I wish I would have
known this in high school, because we – I – may have taken the situation with our guidance
counselor a little more seriously. Mrs. Gardner, our guidance counselor, is still working at our
high school, and I wish she has learned more about the LGBTQ community so she does not
continue to do what she did to Sabrina and me to other students. I want to help educate oblivious
people who have homophobic views, so my best friend can feel as if she can be open about the
person she loves without discrimination from schools, businesses, and her family.