Just to add a little to your very cool story, which heartens and encourages me, the queer youth experience in the US can vary quite a lot by geography and social status, which I know you already acknowledged in your disclaimer.
As a writer and activist, I’m kind of immersed in these issues, both stories and stats. Part of me rejoices at stories like yours, because I can see so clearly where we’re going and how we might get there.
Other parts of me, though, think about kids in rural Kentucky and West Virginia, places featuring recent LGBTQ-youth tragedies rooted in systemic, institutional homophobia.
If you’re interested, I have some stats in this story:
I’m not trying in any way to invalidate your story or lived truths, which I think are awesome. Just adding a little perspective. I hope you don’t mind!
