People have been fighting for gay rights since the 1920s (Source: History.com). Since then, the rights of LGBTQ citizens have grown: the passing of bills supporting gay marriage in certain states, the lifting of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” clause in the military, and many other reformed laws that support the rights of ALL citizens, no matter their race, gender, or sexuality.  

         All high school students face pressure to find their place in society and in the classroom, but students who identify as members of the LGBTQ community face even more pressure, as their sexuality and choice of gender are sometimes scrutinized and criticized more openly. 

          According to the school’s R.A.I.S.E standards, “we are open to the ideas and beliefs of others.” Students like Michael Loar, a cross country runner, feels comfortable being himself at school. 

          Loar said, “I love to be myself [whether] you like it or not.” Loar came out to his family and friends when he was in fifth grade.  

         “Fifth grade is when I realized that I ‘like’ other boys,”said Loar. “Coming out for me was good and bad.”

          Some students find it easier to tell their friends before they tell their parents. “My friends took it well, but some people treated me differently,”said Loar.

          Most students don’t feel like their parents understand them. Teens in the LGBTQ community especially feel like their parents don’t understand their choice. Loar explained “my parents took it hard but throughout the time they supported me.’’ 

             Students tend to become worried about what their peers will say, that they will be judged or picked on for being themselves.  

             Loar said, “if your gay, be gay, come out when your ready.”

          Scot White,  a senior who identifies as transgender said, “ I love being apart of  the community, some parts are definitely difficult in school.”

             Students have shared their unwanted opinions with White. “Teens have definitely had their strong opinions on me being me,” said White. “I came out to my parents through a text and a letter,” said White,  “there were very mixed emotions at first, but we came up with an agreement to accept my ways.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The definition of a friend is someone who will support you and have your back through anything. “[For the] most part my friends were very supportive of me,” White said.

             Something that Scott would want other people in our LGBTQ community to know is: “Just be yourself and not, like, worry too much about what other people think,” said White, “because at the end it’s not gonna matter, you just gotta like get through it.”   

              Last year, our school had the Gay-Straight Alliance Club, but currently there is a need for a teacher to sponsor the club to continue meeting. If there are any teachers interested, several students are looking for a safe space to talk and make friends. Most of all, students should not be scared to be themselves, show their true colors and let their light shine.