Mathis’ son tells him that, in certain contexts, he hides his homosexuality. Perhaps the one that recently has impacted me the most is television judge Greg Mathis talking to his gay son, Greg Jr. It’s a small act that indicates something bigger Lopez accepted Emme as they are and embraced the amazing person they grew to be. “They cost me when they come out, but they’re worth every single penny because they’re my favorite duet partner of all time.” “This is a very special occasion, because they’re very, very busy and booked and pricey,” Lopez joked about 14-year-old Emme. For instance, Jennifer Lopez used gender-neutral pronouns when referring to her child during a recent performance at Dodger Stadium. And, well, I’m not one to turn down a dare.Īnother feature of Pride is public displays of love and acceptance from parents of LGBTQ children. Although that didn’t happen, I did get dared to run up to “Bachelor” star Rachel Lindsay and take a selfie. I remember thinking how great it would be if my own family ever showed up to such an event.
Corporations make appeals to the community, even if hollow ones.Īt this year’s Los Angeles Pride parade in Hollywood, I was reminded of the family because my friend Jackie’s mother came. Television channels have LGBTQ marathons of sitcoms and movies. Jubilant parades are held across America. I hope to explain how you can shed negative energy in your life and possibly be the light in someone else’s.Īs I have grown older, I have come to enthusiastically love big ol’ gay June.ĭuring Pride Month, the world shows its support for a community that is as strong as it is influential. My guess is that many people are going through similar struggles of trying to undo damage. What if I had listened? What if I had, at any point, listened to all the anti-gay hate? The truth is, I did listen and to this day I’m still trying to unlearn what they said. She responded, “If you really wanted to take your own life, you would have just drank Drano.” I told her I had taken a bunch of aspirin in an attempt to take my own life. I walked up to my mother, who was doing dishes in the kitchen. But that changed when they found out I might be different from other boys. I thought that if I kept up great grades and stayed out of trouble, I would have the support of my parents.
During the tumultuous years of my early teens, I was in a state of panic. I don’t remember the exact circumstances that led to the event, but I will never, ever forget how I felt. “People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Maya Angelou once said. (A warning: This story discusses self-harm and child abuse.) Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter.