Final Project
Queer Stories
Sam is queer and still closeted to many people in their life.
Sam has chosen to remain completely anonymous.
Chase is queer and has started to come out to some people.
Chase has chosen to remain anonymous expect for their voice.
In the United Sates, roughly 7% of citizens identify as queer.
That is 23 million Americans
Support and services have grown exponentially for queer individuals. However, there have been many roadblocks.
In 2004, Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage. Indiana followed in 2014. In 2015, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across all 50 states, meaning gay marriage has only been legally recognized by the federal government for 8 years as of 2023.
While federally queer individuals are protected, many still feel unsafe and reluctant to come out.
In rural, conservative, midwest America, there is still fear among the LGTBQ+ community from their communities and even their families.
Here are two of their stories
Both individuals had similar upbringing and experiences, but still have differences.
They both come from rural Indiana and point to their conservative, religious communities as a source of their struggle.
Chase has had a more positive experience regarding their sexuality later in life, and thus willing to share more. However, Sam has continues to face struggles and wishes for complete anonymity. Their differences do not demean the other in any way and both deserve to be heard.
Please be respectful of the individuals privacy and sexuality.
272,000 according to a UCLA Williams Institute survey in 2020
-1/44.5 according to Movement Advancement Project
Chase
The Story of Chase
Chase first began to identify his feelings at the age of eleven. These feelings were not yet grounded, but they grew over time. Chase does not remember exactly when he knew he was attracted to men, but he recalls when he first came out to a friend at the age of thirteen.
“But I told him I was bi and he reacted very positively to it, and that made me really happy,” said Chase, “and as soon as I did that it only got easier. I mean, last month, I came out to my parents.”
Chase does not have a clear label for himself today, but is confident that he has feelings towards men.
Chase faced various struggles in school, primarily from peers. Many made comments and even threats towards queer people near him while he was still closeted. It caused him to become fearful and took a toll on his health.
The rural community that Chase comes from is primarily religious and conservative. Many of those who spread this hate fit both categories. Chase recognizes that not all are against him and that some will even support him.
Chase believes the main reason many think the way they do is because of the older generation.
Sam
The Story of Sam
Sam started feeling attracted to the same gender in middle school. These feelings confused them as they did know what this meant. Growing up in their household, they were kept from many things with LGTBQ+ representation. However, as they started to grow in these feelings, they wanted answers. They first went to their family to which they were told these thoughts were sinful and that they shouldn’t think that way. Their parents showed feelings of worry but brushed it aside and just prayed. It was soon treated as nothing and life continued. But they still felt confused. They felt they didn’t choose this, but rather these feelings were just there.
As they continued to grow, the feelings stayed, and they found other answers. Queer characters in media and queer influencers showed them that others feel the same way as them. They saw them as normal people. Sam wondered what exactly was so sinful. People in their school came out. They too seemed normal for the most part. But other kids bullied the queer kids, verbally and sometimes physically. Sam wondered why there was hate, and if they would be hated too. At the same time the thoughts of sin stayed with them. Sam should not feel that way and certainly should not act on these feelings. Sam wondered if they were broken. They wondered if God hated them just for the feelings they had. Sam was filled with these thoughts.
Once they began to learn more of sexual orientation and the larger community in the world, they knew they were gay. Homosexuality did not seem to be going anywhere. Their world began to change. They found community with others and sought people who would accept them. Sam found many friends online as it was easier and safer to find like-minded people in contrast to their conservative town. As for their family, they kept their feelings secret. They knew some family members felt strongly against the LGTBQ+ community. They did not quite resent their family, but it was best to avoid them. And as for God, their faith began to dwindle. Sam wondered why homosexuality is sinful. Is it not just love? They wondered why God did not “take away the gay” when they first prayed. Can God not answer prayers? They then wondered that if God cannot answer prayers, and if many Christians are hateful, then is God even real? And if He is, is He even worth following? Sam began to lose their religion.
Today, Sam is still closeted to many and keeps their relationships quiet. They feel more comfortable knowing their sexuality and being able to express themselves freely among certain people and communities. They have tried expressing themselves to some with varying reactions and where they have lost people in their lives, they have also gained. Regardless, fear still hangs over them. Through roundabout questions and political conversations over the past few years, they have found that many members of their own family do feel strongly opposed. Not only that, but the political climate appears shaky to them with some politicians openly against the queer community and some even against their rights. For this reason, they have chosen complete anonymity.
The Facts
Their stories are few of many. They can be compared to almost all queer stories in the United States. Fear continues to gripe the LGTBQ+ community, but they continue on. Public speakers, politicians, and influencers speak on behalf of many queer people. They share their voice and express their concerns in the face of adversary. There are places where they are accepted and others where they are praised. But there are still those who are quiet. Those who have not come out yet and keep their feelings secret. They fear their communities, their family’s reactions, and in some cases fear for their lives.
In 2022, data presented by the FBI showed a 19% increase in anti-LGTBQ hate crimes rising to 622 cases. Additionally, anti-transgender hate crimes rose 35% to 338 cases.
The voicelessness of many queer individuals is clear and is easy to see why others feel the same. Their stories are worth hearing and sharing.
As Christians
This is not an argument of sin. This is a highlight of the fear that many humans face.
To be disciples of Christ we must listen to and understand those different from us. We must show love, even to those we may perceive as our enemy.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the Greatest of these is love.