A Road to Self-Acceptance #ProudToBe
By: Nazrin Alaskarov
I always found pride to be an interesting concept. Though I accepted my sexuality at a young age, I often felt that pride was something I should associate with my accomplishments and the milestones I’ve reached in my life. And when my friend asked me to write about my experience with this subject, I had to think back on my experiences and reflect.
When I was in 8th grade, I first discovered that I liked girls. I didn’t know a single queer person back then so it took me a few months to come to terms with this part of me. Feeling like I had no one to turn to that would understand the feelings I was going through, I had to find the courage in me to accept and love this part of me. Over the years, as I grew older, my courage helped me come out to my first friend, having no idea how she would react or if it would change our friendship and to come out to my parents despite knowing they would struggle with my sexuality for a while. And it was the same courage that I depended on when I first asked someone out on a date and the first time I kissed a girl.
Though society has become more accepting and being out has gotten easier, I know that I am the person I’ve become today because of that inner strength. And I no longer feel alone, as I’ve made lots of LGBT friends along the way. I guess I finally realized that I have lots of things to be proud of.