College Station isn’t overflowing in pride flags nor openly out people of the LGBTQIA+ community. But that doesn’t mean that the support for the community doesn’t exist. The other day I saw a pride flag in the window of a boba tea shop and got a boost of serotonin. Seeing that flag, knowing that people are showing support, just fills me with happiness.
That’s not to say I haven’t gotten support from my friends here at Aggieland. For the most part, everyone is accepting and doesn’t make a big deal of it. Most of my friends are straight so there will be times when they don’t fully understand my experience. But they do attempt.
I have had some negative experiences with some religious people – they tend to use religion as a justification to act hateful towards anybody that steps out their definition of normal – but not all religious people are like that. Many of my friends are actively practicing and they are truly loving and kind.
And there are some people that are ignorant of their actions and words – some who choose to be while others have just not been exposed to people outside their norm. But for the most part, people are willing to learn.
The LGBTQIA+ community itself isn’t that large, but they do exist in the forms of clubs, the Coming Out Monologues, Draggieland, the LGBTQ+ Pride Center, and many more. And I am happy to be a part of it.
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