SELF-ACCEPTANCE FOR GAY PEOPLE

Times are changing and it is easier than ever to find self-acceptance as a gay person in this country. That is certainly NOT the case everywhere. It's just that we've made many strides since the early days of gay liberation. It's time to celebrate and stop complaining.

Unfortunately for many, it is still an uphill climb. The road to self-acceptance requires a lot of personal effort. This all begins with self-affirmations. Saying to yourself something like the following will be very helpful: I am a beloved child of God. I am worthy of love. I am who I am meant to be. Being gay is good!

I would encourage any gay person who is struggling with their sexuality to work with affirmations on a daily basis. It is the only way to come to a place where you can love and accept yourself. It is also of utmost importance to surround yourself with people who affirm you just as you are.

Sometimes this will mean having to make hard choices. If your family or friends do not accept you, you may need to distance yourself from them. Network and find safe people and safe places who affirm you. Create a new family. Make new friends. Never take on anyone's judgment of you. You are inherently good and were made gay for a reason.

This is one of the reasons I have created my series of books who are filled with gay characters. Some of them also have problems accepting their sexuality, but I place them in situations where they are forced to learn and grow.

My latest book, "Babes in Bucksnort", is especially written to speak to those who do not accept themselves. I have placed characters who would persecute gay people in order to wake you up to the fact that life is not easy, but you can overcome those judgments if you stand strong in your own identity.

Take my nasty town busybody, Priscilla Bunhead, as an example. She recruits the arch conservative Reverend Billy-Bob Blunthead and his Born Again or Burn Forever Disciples for Jesus to do her dirty work. The beautiful thing is that it ends up backfiring on her. The gay people of Bucksnort come out of their closets and band together as they fight for their right to personal dignity.

It also brings support from those who might have been standing on the sidelines before. The straight people of Bucksnort who recognize villains when they see them come out to support their gay brothers and sisters. While they may be different from themselves, they realize that it's only a matter of sexuality that separates them. Deep down inside we all possess the same spirit. We are all human beings.

Life may not be as funny as it is in Babes in Bucksnort, but that doesn't mean that you can't create your own joy. That's what life is meant to be about. The task for you is to accept life on life's terms and to make the most of it. You are the only one who can do it. Go for your bliss!