R*O*Y*G*B*P*

My name is Tai,

I could be gay,

I could be straight,

I could be bi,

I could be trans,

I could be lesbian,

But I am, and will always be,

A human.

My name is Tai, and because of you, I cannot be free to be who I am, and every time I have to lie.

My name is Tai, and because of you,

I believe the world is a spiteful, hateful place.

My name is Tai, and because of you,

I can never reveal my one true face and will be always looked as a disgrace.

My name is Tai, and because of you,

the bigoted rave nearly won.

But........NO

My name is Tai, and I'm bigger than you.

My name is Tai, and I'm better than you.

And the whole of "my people"? They are too.

So now I don't listen to what you say.

It won't change anything anyway.

I'm sorry you don't like it, but what can I say?

My name is Tai, and yes, I am gay.

I am gay,

I'm not a disease, I'm not a problem.

I'm not an affliction,

I don't need treatment or counselling.

I'm not sick,

I am not confused,

I am not a sin.

I am gay,

I'm your daughter,

Your sister,

Your friend,

Your classmate,

Your acquaintance,

A complete stranger.

I am gay,

I need love, just like you

I need smiles

I need support

I need a hug

I need a friend

I need acceptance

I need understanding

I need you.

I am gay.

I know what love is

I know what pain is

I know what hate is

I know what life is.

I am gay.

And I need you to love me,

The same way you would love me before you knew.

I am gay

And I have experienced hate.

I am gay,

And I wont change

Nor give up,

I won't back down.

I won't pretend,

I won't lie.

I won't deny,

I won't hurt,

I won't hide.

I am gay,

And that's okay.