Editor’s Note: The following submission is from Astha Benevolent. Have an LGBTQ+ related experience or story to share? Having your article published on this site will automatically enrol you into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Submit an article today via queerdeermedia.com.
I was 16 when I realized I’m not entirely straight. Being Indian & getting raised in a religious house environment, you rarely question anything regarding your identity. Thankfully I was raised in a neutral way though. Never forced to dress a certain way, behave like a specific gender etc. Until one day I was watching One Tree Hills & I accepted the fact that I’m in love with Peyton Sawyer. For the next year, I decided to explore my sexuality & eventually come out to some of my close friends. (I’m still not out to my family except my sister.)
As expected, I got a mixed reaction/response from various people. While some were entirely aware and acceptive of the fact that I identify as an asexual queer. Some people decided to just ignore the truth. Like my school best friends decided that eventually I will have sex. And there’s no way somebody like me can repulse romantic affection. Well, as you know there’s a difference between being aromatic & asexual. They just don’t seem to get it.
One case that I love in particular is of my college friends. They come from the kinda different background than me. For example they’re very-very religious people friends with this Aethist girl. I mean one time they suggested me to pray to my vehicle before I go out on it. That’ll stop my accidents. Okay so one day, somebody in our circle was talking about the rumor of one of our batchmate being gay. And everyone went like haww… Followed by extremely homophobic rants. While I sat there in silence and confusion of whether or not it’ll be a right time to correct them. Until I just can’t take it anymore & outed myself to all of them. SILENCE. Everyone looked shocked, even when I thought I was pretty much out since my realization. “So, you can like kiss girls?” One of them asked. I nodded. “I mean they smell better, don’t have facial thorns and are just so cuddly.” I replied. SILENCE again. “So, do you have feelings for me too?” Somebody else asked. “Eww…no I have standard.” That thankfully made everyone laugh. I continued explaining them about gender, identity, sexuality, lgbtq+ community etc. Which surprisingly turned the homophobic rant into a healthy curious discussion.
In the end nobody started accepting the fact that LGBTQ people are valid. But they still accept me. “We have no problem with you & we don’t want you to change.” Most of them have said. I know I didn’t turned them into an ally but I did erased the homophobia in them a little. Which is something I’m really proud of.
