Religion First, Feelings Second

You realize these feelings are real.

And that terrifies you.

After all, you're destined to be normal. Like everyone else. Normal.

It keeps you up at night. Finally, you can't take it anymore. You have to get it out of your system. You have to tell someone. You don't want to, but you don't know how else you'll get to sleep or do anything else ever again. Your mom is the only one in the house.

You break down, crying, and she hugs you (by default). And while she doesn't love it, you feel lucky that she's accepted you.

Three years later, and those feelings are still there.

Mom thought it was a phase. It wasn't.

Finally, you get the nerve up to join your school's GSA. You basically just came out to the whole school. It was scary, but now you feel free. A weight has been lifted off your chest. And it feels amazing.

You nervously tell your mom. She's not happy.

Hot shots become commonplace, and it upsets you every time.

"You're becoming gayer every day!"

"You want to hang out with gay people but you don't want to learn about God!"

Finally, she breaks down and tells you she's torn between staying true to her morals and supporting you. She tells you her side, and you understand. You don't agree, but you understand. Although you drop GSA, you're not dropping your feelings, and she understands that.

And sometimes, understanding is all you need to make peace.