Most of the time, when youth come out or are about to, there’s a singular feeling that can plague them: loneliness. It may feel like a place of community and understanding are a distance off — regardless if your family and friends are accepting or not. However, people within these LGBT groups and organizations have met people, been with people through literally all walks of life, so you would never feel alone and you can always have someone to talk to, even if you don’t know them that well. I love my friends in school with all my heart, but it’s nice to be able to have friends and allies who have been able to walk similar paths to mine, in addition to being able to see new perspectives that maybe I wasn’t exposed to before.
Being a part of events like OutFest and Pride is, in all honesty, one of the best things you can do for yourself. I remember when I went to my first Pride event (which I wrote about in further detail in another article, “Going to Pride as a Teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome”), I was myself worried that I would feel lonely and unwelcomed, but found the exact opposite. In the LGBT community, you’ll be able to find essentially every kind of diversity available: black, white, Asian, Latino, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, feminine, masculine and many, many more variations than I can mention here. That is why I think having youth get involved in their community is such a great thing. It can be a major confidence booster, not to mention a great place to be able to meet friends and maybe even someone who could be a little more.
And there is a financial reason on why community involvement is useful — it really helps with scholarships to college. Many LGBT scholarships look for youth who are involved in their community over a period of time, so becoming involved in youth groups and community organizations is a great investment for your future. And many of these youth groups and community organizations may have jobs and positions where you can begin your career. At the very least, who doesn’t like some extra cash?
I know that, for some people, being out is simply not an option and they’re afraid to step out of the closet, but sometimes it’s for that very reason that it’s good to get involved. While I would consider it a case-by-case basis, I have little doubt that forming a group of friends who can help you get through tough, personal times is one of the best things you can do for yourself. No matter who you are or where you come from, there’s going to be a place for you and there’s going to be a whole community that’s going to love you. It won’t come all at once — I won’t lie — but it does happen and, whether you’re in a bad place or even in a good place, to quote the famous videos, “It gets better.” And when you get involved with a community that is, first and foremost, all about love, it absolutely will.
Sean Morris, 17, is a senior at Science Leadership Academy.