How Gays Can Love Themselves When Hate Is Everywhere
By Andy Heath
When hate is everywhere how do you love yourself? When it seems the straight world is against gay people and even those that love you view you as a second class citizen, how is it possible to feel any sense of self esteem?
I often struggle with this question myself. You see, I was one of the lucky ones. When I came out to my parents around December 1997, they didn't kick me out of the house or preach that I was going to hell. But I always felt that some members of my family viewed me as a second class citizen, someone less worthy of love and respect than they were, someone less wholesome and just… well… less than they were.
I believe that the first step to loving and accepting yourself as a gay person is to acknowledge that there is a higher power, whatever you wish to call it, that loves and accepts you. I call this power the Great Creator or sometimes simply God. You might call it something different, but this power, this being, loves and accepts you.
I also believe that there are all kinds of beings around us that are rooting for us, like our own incessant celestial cheerleaders that want the best for us. It's like we're an important part of a team and the rest of the team is working in other realms so we can all be successful in our spiritual journeys.
Once you realize that there are celestial beings that love you, realize that there are humans that love you too. Some gay people may not see that, but there really are people that love and accept you for who you are. You may not even know who these people are, but they're your friends, your family, your lovers even. Not everyone is homophobic, and that can be helpful to know.
Finally, once you realize that others view you as a worthy person, give yourself permission to have blind faith that you really are a good person. It's very easy to convince yourself that you're not, but you must realize that you really are an awesome and wonderful person with unique contributions to give the world. The world needs you. Your celestial team needs you. Yes, even God needs you. You're here for a reason, and it's not just to praise Jesus. You make a difference in more lives than you know. From that standpoint, you can find the courage - yes, the courage - to love yourself even when it seems no one else does.
