“You have to accept yourself before you can ask anyone to accept you.”
I was definitely very different growing up as a gay kid in Orange County. Definitely not the norm. It took a lot of patience and understanding of everyone so that I could feel comfortable and making my own space. Now it’s a lot better because having establish myself as a nice, charismatic, polite person people can relate to me and see past our differences.
It’s inspired me in understanding other people because as a Mexican American that looks white, I get a different view of the world because everyone assumes that I am white. When I go to Mexican American locations I am treated as a White American. People talk to me in English and service me first but it’s interesting…I’m just a person whether or not I’m a different color. You should treat everyone the same, not give me special treatment.
It’s giving me a lot of patients to understand Black Americans, Asian Americans and being really open to people and accepting them for who they are, as opposed to what I see.
Embarrassingly enough I did have a stuffed animal. His name is Mr. Fluffy. It’s either a bunny or Long eared dog. I don’t know what it is. It is this white plush, big eared piece of cotton. I just love that little thing. I carry it now into my 31st year of life. I love that thing. He definitely has absorbed a lot of my tears, taking the brunt of my anger. His constant smile just keeps me grounded because I realize at the end of the day you are you. Whether or not someone loves you or hates you, you are you. You have to accept yourself before you can ask anyone to accept you.