Abstract
Shouldn't we value the sincere feelings of others rather than condemn them? I can remember my earliest thoughts and desires. Like most kids, I coveted any new toy my brother received, and I got angry when he beat me at Mario Kart. I also remember having a very real crush on my first best friend. They were all just feelings, right? What could be wrong with them? We were 10 years old, and I knew that I felt differently about my friend than she did about me. I didn't mind too much, though. I was content spending time with her and keeping my thoughts to myself. I had occasional fears about what I was feeling, but I pushed them aside. Barely a preteen, I'd already adopted the prevailing view that my feelings defined who I was, so they must be okay. Eventually I would fully embrace the LGBTQ lifestyle.