The Honest Truth

During my last few semesters of undergrad, I met two incredible friends. Over time and and lots of difficult exams, we became great friends. Each of us were very different, but we got along despite that. One difference I want to focus on is our religious views. While I am Christian, another was Jewish, and the other was atheist. We never put each other down because we disagreed with each other, in fact we had engaging conversation about why the other believed what they did. We're all still great friends today.

The reason I tell you this story is to show the fact that people can be different and still be the best of friends. All it takes is respect and the ability to put your differences aside. My friends and I were not trying to get each other to change religions or saying the other was wrong. In fact, we wanted to learn more about each other's views. Embracing each other's differences only strengthened our friendship.

Like my friends and our differences in religion, I may be different than you. I'm gay. Some of you might be shocked and some of you might be thinking, it's about time. Hopefully you're still with me.

I am sure some of you want an explanation. I have been trying to come to terms with this for a very long time. I have always been afraid of losing those I love due to our differences in opinion. I am at a point in my life where I have researched the subject and am comfortable with myself and my relationship with God.

I hope you are able to see I am still the individual I was before you read this post. I am still a Christian, an Educator, and an Adventurer. If you are not okay with this piece of my life, that is fine. I am not asking you to change your core beliefs. Just like my friends from school, I hope we can respect each other, put our differences aside, and continue growing our relationship.