lgbtq

Non-nuclear is the new normal; millions of children belong to happy families with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender parents.

The Inheritance
“I can’t believe it’s been a year already,” thought Alice Hooper as she was browsing Reddit. It’s been exactly a year since she came out as transgender, and yet it still hasn’t fully sunk in. As she kept on browsing, she couldn’t help but reflect on everything that’s happened. Alice furrowed her brow slightly as she thought of everyone she lost over the last year. Some left right away, in silence, others left gradually, slowly fading away from her life. Somehow nobody made a scene as they left her life, to the disappointment of some of her more confrontational friends. The ones that hurt the most were the ones that she had to leave herself… Her phone rang with the one contact she did not expect to see.
By Alice Capewell5 years ago in Families
Odysseus in the Underworld
Odie’s phone balked at the incoming call with such vehemence it died. She had not recognized the number. She yelled at the empty living room, “How could I forget a charger?”
By Blake Montgomery5 years ago in Families
Dear Zach
"Shit!" Zach cursed as he tripped over another box. A cloud of dust swept into his face, and he coughed, wiping at his eyes and mouth. Once cleared, Zach frowned at the box; messy, sprawling sharpie declaring it was "High School Stuff." The question was: whose?
By J. Bearse5 years ago in Families
8 ways to show your at-risk LGBT teenager you love them
An earlier version of this article appeared on News Break. The nation’s first large study assessing teen suicide risk by gender and self-identifying sexuality shows gay, lesbian, and bisexual children have more than double the risk compared to their heterosexual peers.
By David Heitz5 years ago in Families
The Greatest Love
Jane was an eccentric being, standing alone in a community full of Gospel. It were of no surprise to her, being raised within the Bible Belt, that she didn’t fit “in”. Coming of course from a family of prestigious Pentecostals, she felt a certain duty toward morality. However, that wasn’t quite who she desired to be. Never was she allowed to cut her hair, she was also forced itno wearing long skirts, as pants may entice those of the opposing sex. If only it were the opposite sex that she suffered worry. Shackled from herself within, a person she couldn’t quite come to terms with. Truly she loved her family, which love, did breed her inclination to guilt. Unsure of what was wrong with her, why did she feel in her stomach this rushing warm sensation every time she saw her best friend Lily. Or why she would lay awake each night thinking only of Lily’s smile.
By Derek Smith5 years ago in Families
Sardine Tin
Though the hot-dog failed to bait crustaceans, it seduced an expensive fly-fishing vest; it’s mesh exterior caught on the wire cage of an old crab trap. Vivian, knee-deep in marsh, hemmed by sedge and palmetto, cut the fabric free and brought his treasure to shore. Cross-legged on an oak stump, he examined his trouvaille. Rubbed his thumb over the tag. Durable straps. Water Bladder. Ten pockets plump with possibility. My man’s gotta have a wallet in here. Vivian cracked his knuckles, eager for the rummage. Unzipped the first cavity. Silver bodkins. Shiny, without rust. Mama will like these. Pliers and line clippers. Insect repellent. Bobbin holders. Castille soap. Come on man. I know you have a blade. He wanted a hatchet to add to his knife collection. Vivian unzipped the last pocket slowly, prolonging the unknown. Please God let there be some money or a Case Trapper. He reveled in those ephemeral flickers of opportunity, yet, he remained grateful when he pulled out a sardine tin. Knew better than to wallow over chance.
By Keegan 5 years ago in Families
Stares, whispers belittle LGBTQ in nursing homes
An earlier version of this article appeared on News Break. During World War II, Alexandre served his country as a medic. He respectfully and dutifully helped save the lives of those fighting on the front lines to keep our country free.
By David Heitz5 years ago in Families
The Hidden Notebook
It wasn't that I didn't know my father. I didn't know him the way he knew himself. I was his son, but not his confidant. Even my mother didn't claim to know him well. She knew the parts he revealed. They were good and loving parts, she always asserted, but it was hard for me to imagine what his love looked like for me as his son. Neither of us would have known if it hadn't been for that small black notebook tucked between the wall and his desk.
By Presley Thomas5 years ago in Families
Six minutes, a new life.
His hand was gently placed on the page of his book that he was reading. From what I could see his book seemed tattered, old, perhaps a classic; maybe his interest in literature was timeless. He grinned ever so slightly, amused by a line that he had probably read a thousand times over. His face wasn't made up of obviously beautiful features, but he was beautiful. A nose ring sat tight around his left nostril and a beanie balanced on his head like a beret. His eyes behind a pair of rounded glasses that sat on his perfectly balanced ears; one with a loop earring. 'Am I in love, again?' I thought. I looked down at what I was wearing; nothing exciting to look at. I became uncomfotable and shuffled my bum further away from him, sitting half on the seat and half balancing on nothing but sheer hope of not falling. I turned the volume of my music up and closed my eyes to try and focus.
By Leigh Halifax5 years ago in Families
The Sleepover
This morning I had a weird talk with my friend’s mom. I spent the night over Aaron’s house last night as my family had left me by myself to go to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. I had a lot of money with me as I had just gotten back from my job working at a fair in Massachusetts for the week, so I was going to be ok. In fact, I was going to be more than ok. I had the intention of spending the entire bundle I had made that week, and it was a lot. I was almost six-hundred dollars.
By Tommy Boy5 years ago in Families
Financial Independence
My room is dark despite it being 3:00pm on a Tuesday in the middle of July. I closed my blinds two weeks ago to stave off the guilt of staying indoors for days on end, remembering what it was like to be depressed. But I’m not depressed, it’s just summer.
By Grace Flowers5 years ago in Families
A Father's Acceptance
Nakia lays in bed listening to the alarm ring. She cancels the alarm and begins the process of becoming the Nakia she has seen in the mirror since she was six. This was a routine that she had grown accustomed to over the last five years. A routine she had so desperately clung to because it gave her a sense of control and order, something she was never allowed in her youth. After two hours of perfecting her makeup, sliding on her black dress, and strapping on her heels, she was ready.
By Travis Hunnicutt5 years ago in Families