Stop the hate, because we can’t all hide

To the Editor:
I never thought I would write a letter to a newspaper or talk about certain things out loud. But my fear over what our new President has done by being so hateful is taking me over. I am seeing the hatred for so many people that are different from what is considered to be basically a white person. I don’t know where to turn and in many ways it makes me feel like I did in high school from which I graduated in the last year.
As an LGBT kid I was harassed and bullied in Delaware Valley Middle and High School. I was not out for some of the time but people assumed. I was treated differently by other students and teachers alike. There was no safe place for me.
When I got to the high school I was happy that the GSA was started and while it was kinda scary to go to the meetings at first it felt good. The bad part is the school ruined the group and by the time I graduated I could not attend as it was no longer safe and no one cared. I feel scared for kids still in this school that are like me.
The one thing that got me through was the Upper Delaware LGBT Center. I attended the P3 group and it really saved my life. I finally felt safe and cared for and never judged unlike other places. I stopped cutting which no one new I was doing. I am not sure I would be here today without it.
But now I am on my own in a world that was like high school and I don’t know where to turn. I am hated for being what some consider different. I do look forward to when I go home to see my P3 family.
I think I will find my way but I wonder about other kids that go to schools like DV that say the right things but don’t do them. Where do they go to feel okay. Please ask the people that voted for Trump to stop the hate because we can’t all hide.
Lee Malone
Editor's note: For more about the Upper Delaware LGBT Center please visit udglbt.org.