This is what it means to be unapologetically me

Sophomore Maya Crawford shares her experience coming out to her friends and family
Story by Michaela Martin

Coming out is a terrifying thig for most LGBTQ youth. It brings questions that you aren't really
ready to answer yet. Like, will I lose my friends? Will my family be okay with it and what does
this mean for me individually? however, for sophomore Maya Crawford it was everything but
nerve-racking.

“I wasn't nervous at all actually, most of my friend group was questioning or already had come
out so I knew it'd be a safe space,” said Crawford.

Not only were Maya's friends supportive when she came out, her parents were too.

“They were so supportive! It felt good to know that they still saw me as me, regardless of who I
preferred, all my friends and family all had the same message of support and that I should take
pride in who I discovered myself to be,” said Crawford.

Maya has the same message to share with other LGBTQ youth.

“I think others need to know that not all coming out situations are horror stories. My story is
pretty boring compared to others, but it's important to note the acceptance that came from the
people I told. There is always somebody out there who accepts who you are, and even other
people like you. Somebody is always there to make you feel valid and appreciated as you
should be. We're not unnatural or wrong. We're not nasty or against the Lord or whatever lies
have been spread. We're just people, and we deserve to be treated as such. We're no different
from the next person,” said Crawford

Crawford found that person not only in her family but in the girl who made her realize she was _.

“I gradually notice that I wasn't really interested in boys and then suddenly realized I had a
crush on a girl. I built up the courage to talk to her about it and then found out that we'd both
been pining for several months but we were just too scared to talk to each other. After we got
together I started taking pride in who I am and actually discovering more about the community!
My significant other and I will be dating two weeks in the spring,” said Crawford.

Crawford not only has hopes for her relationship but the LGBTQ community as a whole.

“I just want us [ the LGBTQ community] to be accepted. Let us be who we want to be, without
threats or conversion or any of that. My hope is that we are treated like people. Just like
anybody else, so others aren't so cautious to be who they are. I wouldn't change being gay, this
is who I am. I'm not afraid to show it, and I'll never change for somebody else,” said Crawford.
Maya's story should not only inspire LGBTQ youth as a whole but it shows all, that it shouldn't
matter about the labels that society places on us, it shows us that no matter what someone will
be in or corner. Whether that be friends, family or even a random person on the street, we all
should be treated with kindness and compassion.