OPINION: Closets Are For Clothes

<p>“What have you done today to make you feel proud?” Heather Small</p> <p>by <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/callumJoseph">Callum Joseph</a> | 9th June 2013</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4593701217.jpg" width="460" height="345" alt="gay pride" title="gay pride"/></p> <p></p><p>Today I was able to kiss my partner in public and for that, I am proud. I am proud to live in a society where being part of the LGBT community is accepted and I am able to express my feelings for a member of the same sex openly without judgement.</p><p></p><p>The Stonewall riot of 1969 in New York City inspired and motivated members of the LGBT community to fight for equality. The gay liberation movement encouraged people to accept and announce their sexuality and has influenced celebration for years to come in the form of Pride Parades.</p><p></p><p>Since this time the LGBT community has grown and although the fight for equality still continues we are still further that we were over forty years ago. Although something simple such as showing my partner affection in public may seem small, it stems for years of struggle and fighting for recognition and acceptance.</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4593701216.jpg" width="460" height="691" alt="Gay Pride | http://www.flickr.com/photos/jiadoldol/" title="Gay Pride | http://www.flickr.com/photos/jiadoldol/"/></p> <p></p><p>I have openly admitted to my parents that I was gay. At a New Year party my Mother looked at me and said, “So, I see your in a relationship on Facebook. Who is he?” For years I had been dancing and thought no one was watching. In theory, everyone had been watching and they were waiting for was for me to discuss the matter.</p><p></p><p>“If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” RuPaul</p><p></p><p>Although my Nan still refers to my boyfriend as my 'special friend' I still know that I have support from my family and friends in terms of my sexuality. I am proud of them for being open minded and accepting.</p><p></p><p> Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if my Mother had never questioned my relationship status. Would I have been strong enough to recognise that the closet is just for clothes?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4586001108.jpg" width="380" height="28" alt="" title=""/></p> <p></p><p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/COLUMN-We%E2%80%99re-Here-We%E2%80%99re-Queer-and-We-Might-Go-Shopping/5871377">Column: We're Here, We're Queer and we Might Go Shopping</a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/NEWS-Anti-Gay-Crisis-In-Russia/5865554">NEWS: Anti-Gay Crisis In Russia</a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/submit">Would you like to blog for us?</a></p><p> </p>