I wrote this one day a while back ago, not long after I came out. I had been putting up with a lot of shit and couldn't handle it anymore, so I posted it on Facebook. The comments I recieved from my classmates and peers were outstanding, and really opened my eyes. Whether you know it or not, people do care about you, whether you're gay or not. A few homophobes are sucky, but I found I had so much support than I would have ever thought.

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Okay, I'm sick of it. I have fucking had it. I've stood back and took for what seems an enternity, and it hasn't got any better. Now, I'm putting an end to it.

Guess what, people? I AM GAY. There. I said it out loud. It's not the first time, and probably not the last, but it's there. And I've had to listen to your bigotry, your intolerance, and your hate for far, far too long.

I pretend it doesn't bother me. All the "faggot this, homo that." The incessent giggling and hushed whispers when I come into the room. Aggressive questions about who I'm bringing to prom. And for a long time, I didn't think it would bother me. But recently, I've realized how much it does and how much it truly hurts. I'm a very thick skinned person. I've handled being short, having glasses, being unathlectic with gusto for years and years. I didn't think of all things people would hate me because I'm gay.

Then another thought crossed my mind. As thick-skinned as I am, what about all the other teens who aren't straight, who take more hurt from your hateful comments? Who is going to speak for them?

I am.

It ends NOW. I simply won't take it any more. The days of sitting in the back, trying to brush it off are over. I simply want to go to school, feel safe and secure, and live my life. I'm not asking you to convert to homosexuality, but to merely realize there are other people than straight people.

And none of that "you're the only one" bullshit. Because I'm not. There are so many more of us than you can ever imagine, and we are still subjected to hate and intolerance everyday. Holy shit, people. It's 2008! I figured by now we wouldn't be so fucking hateful.

I didn't "bring this on myself." That's another thing that pisses me off: people who act supportive but say "You brought upon yourself." Believe me, I didn't ask to be the person I am: I just am. Being gay is NOT a "choice"; it's like hair color-you're born with it, you can dye, but it's still the same hair color underneath. You can go to church and be "healed", but underneath you are still gay. I don't care what anyone says. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna cower in a corner and hide. FUCK THAT.

It's really not much to ask for. Just put yourself in the shoes of others. And I'm not trying to be a preachy, whiny, "let's all love each other and be best friends!" kind of person. DO NOT INTERPRET THIS AS THAT. This is a declaration of war, not againist a culture or country, but againist hate. Because what you are? That's cold-hard terrorism: plain and simple. I may not use violence (so this isn't a threat, people) but I will use every single other part of an arsenal I can. WHO'S WITH ME?

And if you are also gay or discriminated againist in any way, it's time to stand. We all need to band together and be there for each other. We are all we got. There is nothing wrong with the way we feel. I don't give a fuck about what some book written when people thought the Earth was flat says about gays and lesbians.

We already live in a world filled with so much hate and spite. Aren't you sick of it too?