Celebrating Yourself: Dallin's Story
My name is Dallin. My journey as an LGBTQ+ person has been a rollercoaster ride of challenges and self-discovery. Growing up and living in Taiwan as a child, I felt different from my peers. In the small town where I grew up, there was very little discussion about LGBTQ+ people. The misinformation and attitudes of society towards LGBTQ+ people only added to my confusion. I had to struggle hard to understand my true identity.
Finding myself and forming new relationships wasn't easy for me. In high school, I was dealing with family challenges and seeking spiritual support through religion, becoming a Mormon. However, being gay in a religious community was very difficult. I was torn between living a life that contradicted my true identity and trying to fit into society's expectations. It was a time of great conflict and I felt very unhappy.
When I moved to San Francisco for work, I came out as gay. I was a complete stranger. I was very open to the gay community, but I still felt pressured by certain stereotypes and expectations because of my Asian appearance. I was discriminated against in the gay community. It made me feel like I had to continue to find a place that was accepting and that was where I belonged.
Over time, my maturity and therapy have helped me to accept myself with confidence in all aspects. It was a process of self-discovery and learning to live in a world filled with hatred and prejudice. Through therapy, I found a safe space to express my opinions and let go of my fears, which has helped me grow into a stronger person.
Being LGBTQ+ has impacted both my personal and professional life. I have gained a greater understanding and empathy for those who face discrimination and marginalization. I strive to create an environment of understanding and acceptance not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but also for all diversity.
Socially, I think acceptance varies from country to country. In the US, there are mixed opinions. There are both pro- and anti-LGBTQ+ people. In Taiwan, the values are to live your life as you want and respect other people's lifestyles. However, there is still a factor of generation gaps. In Switzerland, despite being known as a conservative country, they are very accepting of diversity and do not care much about who you love.
To support the LGBTQ+ community, specific policies should be put in place to protect the rights of transgender people and eliminate discrimination. Policies that discriminate against people based on their gender identity should be reviewed and addressed.
In the future, I hope and wish to see LGBTQ+ people receive equality, acceptance and respect from people in society. I want to see a world where people who are different are truly accepted, without fear of being discriminated against or judged for what is right or wrong. Providing support and assistance to those who want to find their own identity in the LGBTQ+ group or who have faced discrimination is very important. In the journey of self-discovery, it is necessary to be patient, know how to explore yourself, and love yourself all at the same time.
Creating a society that is more understanding and accepting requires a collaborative effort between advocates and LGBTQ+ members. We can all help to raise our voices against bullying and discrimination. By working together and fostering positive change, we can create a society where everyone feels valued and accepted.
My story is simply a reflection of the challenges and triumphs of self-discovery as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and a collective effort to create a more accepting world for diversity. Let's support each other in creating a future that celebrates diversity and boundless love.