Always a Supporter, by Shannon

I have always been an avid supporter of LGBT rights. I was raised by a mother and a father, and was taught acceptance and the importance of equality and kindness. Nobody should be condemned simply because they are attracted to the same sex, or identify as the opposite gender, or find that they are attracted to both sexes. People in our society have always been afraid of what they don't understand, and especially of those who are different from them. We've seen it through the years with racism and sexism, and this is just another form of needless hate in our world. As a straight ally, I believe that everyone should be treated as human beings. Because that's what we all are. Gay, straight, black, white, trans, male, female, it doesn't matter. We are all human beings and deserve to be treated as such, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

My support of the LGBT community strengthened after a friend I have known for 8 years came out to me about a year and a half ago. Since then, our friendship intensified and we became inseparable best friends. It took so much for her to put herself out there to her family and to me, just because she is gay and loves another woman. It breaks my heart that she felt so much anxiety and fear, when all she did was reveal to us who she is. It breaks my heart that because she is gay, she will inevitably encounter discrimination. She will be judged because she is gay, even though she is the most remarkable and kind-hearted person I have ever met. It is wrong and it is unfair for anyone to be discriminated against, and that is why I believe human rights are so vital for the world to embrace.

My support for this campaign and this cause is for my best friend, and for everyone else in the world who is discriminated against based on who they love and how they identify themselves. I do this to show my support for anyone who feels the same fear and distress as my best friend did. I look forward to the day we can all be ourselves; where there is no longer such thing as "coming out;" where we've defeated this widespread epidemic of hatred, and my best friend can marry the woman she has loved for as long as she's known me, and have a family together in peace. So that is my story. Everyone SHOULD be heard.

Thank you again so much for starting this campaign and continuing on with it. I will remain a strong supporter, and commend you for all you have done for this cause.

- Shannon