When I was young, people used to ask me that question. Would you choose to be gay if you had a choice?

I started out answering the question with a big no. I didn’t even have to think about it, the answer seemed obvious.

But when I did think about it deeply and more closely, my answer began to change. I started saying that I didn’t know, that I wouldn’t know how to recognize myself if I were so fundamentally different inside.

After another few years, my answer changed again. Yes! Of course I would choose to be who I am. If I were someone different I wouldn’t have loved the people I’ve loved. I wouldn’t have lived the life I’ve lived.

I like being who I am. I love the people in my life. I choose me and my loved ones.