What’s normal for you may not be normal for someone else, and vice versa! Lots of people in LGBTQIA+ spaces begin asking this kind of question when they first start working through how different they may be from others in their school, class, family, religious congregation, or friendship group. Being different is totally OK! In fact, when we think about it, many of us are different in both obvious, and not-so-obvious, ways.
People dress differently, have different colored hair (or hairstyles), and lots of other expressions that are obvious. And some even get teased or made fun of by others because of those choices. But being LGBTQIA+ isn’t a choice – living fully into who you are is a choice! And a courageous one at that!
If you identify as an LGBTQIA+ person, then that is normal for you! By some estimates, less than 10% of the population in the US identifies in this way – so that makes you NORMAL and SPECIAL. And it can also mean that since only 10% of the population identifies in this way, not everyone understands you.
Let’s be clear – because someone doesn’t understand LGBTQIA+ identities DOES NOT mean anything – except they don’t understand. It doesn’t change what is true about you or your experience. And it doesn’t change that you are a normal person.
Start with knowing a few key things:
YOU ARE NORMAL
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF FOLKS JUST LIKE YOU!
YOU ARE OK JUST THE WAY YOU ARE