I am here to tell a story about people that look like me, sound like me, love like me and are a lot like me.

People that are queer, the ones that dare to love in the midst of the commotion that is “homophobia”.

I want to listen to their silent tears, do they feel seen? oh yes only when they are obviously queer.

The ones that can’t relate because they are straight passing and can get away with it.

Do I invalidate their struggle? No I don’t.

Yes we talk about the glamorous part of being colored but we forget the depression, the hatred and the suicide we have lost our brothers and sisters to.

Some say we are a cult, sometimes I agree. We are bound by the pain that we are all used to, accustomed to the disappointing looks gracing the faces of the ones we once called home.

Accepting that we will never be able to love freely and fairly in our “motherland”.

I speak for the ones still in the closet, unsure of when and how to come out.

Shut the door in their faces, do it at your own time.

I represent the ones that are out to a selected few, the ones who have found their chosen family.

I applaud the ones who don’t care that they are out, they breathe and exist as queer persons even in unfamiliar territory.

I respect the ones that are activist, thank you for all that you do. WE SEE YOU, I SEE YOU AND YOU’RE LOVED MY DEAREST.

 

WRITER: CHARLOTTE E.