Inspirational Letter | A Letter to My Child | LGBTQ – A Note to My Kid

Our Final Note of 2012 - A Note from Zach to His Entire Support System (Chilhowie, Virginia)

To my entire support system; my mom, my dad, my second parents, my aunts, uncles, my sisters, and my incredible friends,

Thank you so much for reminding today that I'm loved beyond what I deserve! It's been so hard sorting through all my emotions and my plans while coming out, and every time I think I may lose someone that I love, I gain 4 more steadfast supporters :)

I never thought that by admitting I was gay, I would be surrounded with so much love and acceptance, when I thought I would be facing hatred and condemnation. Thank you all so much for proving me wrong, and encouraging me to chase after my dreams!

One day, when I'm a famous Gay Christian Advocate, I'll be able to tell everyone I talk to that I had an amazing support system growing up :) and that because they showed me so much love and acceptance, I had the desire to help other people and show them the same support and care.

You all know who you are; I love you!!

- Zach

A Note from Jay to His Aunt and Uncle on Their 45th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 45th to my wonderful aunt Jane Gage and uncle Roger Gage!

Thanks for always having a second home for me growing up!

My sweetest memory of you together is me and the boys riding in the back of your car going who knows where and uncle Roger singing along to endless love while holding your hand! We all gave you grief for it the way only kids can, but so representative of the love you have for each other and an example to others to follow!

Btw, it was when endless love was a hit, so that dates it a bit, not to mention the days of myself, Mike and Kevin all fitting in the back of a car passed a long time ago!!

Lots of love from chris and I!

- Jay

A Note from Michael to Donna Sachet (San Francisco, CA)

Donna,

My friends and I had the chance to see "Songs of the Season" last evening and WOW... what an amazing show you put on.  Your talent and energy is amazing.  What is also amazing is your ongoing dedication to the LGBTQ community.  For 20 years you have been putting on that show and you have tirelessly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the AIDS Emergency Fund.  Your energy and enthusiasm is intoxicating and your thoughtfulness is an inspiration to me.

As I watched you up on stage I could not help but think about the Castro and what it means to me.  A few things come to mind... The Castro is our hood, it has evolved into a lovely and diverse place for all to live, but still remains an important symbol for the LGBTQ community and it is also YOU!

Donna... you are a big part of what makes the Castro and the LGBTQ community in San Francisco so special.  We are so lucky to have you as part of our community and your spirit will always bring hope and inspiration to all that have the opportunity to cross your path.

All I can say is thanks for being you.  I cannot wait to see you perform again and for next year's "Songs of the Season."

Much love,

Michael

A Note from Blake to His Best Friend, Marqui, on Her Birthday (Orlando, Florida)

Happy Birthday to one of the most talented people I know who I also call my best friend in the entire world, Marqui!

This time of year is always near and dear to my heart because 6 years ago she literally kick-ball changed into my life one day at rehearsals for Celebrate the Seasons at the Walt Disney World Resort. We've both watched each other grow and reach for our dreams. We've had our ups (Tampa) and our downs (Miami). Even though we can be across the world from each other, she's always right there when I need her, unless she's in rehearsals or teaching/taking Pilates. I'm excited that I get to be her Best Man when she marries her other best friend.

I love you Marqui Jenn Matkowski!! Thank you for letting me be apart of your life and your family.

Now, let's go to Dinosaur World!

A Note to Kaitlin from Her Friend, Trey

Dear Kaitlin,

I remember when I first came out…..It was to you at your birthday party. (Haha) I still remember you telling me that you loved me no matter what and that you’d known since our first day of Physics class. I look back on that and smile fondly at the memory, we’ve had our ups and downs but we have always remained friends.

I look to you for strength and advice every day. You always know what to say to make me feel better about life and I love my random nicknames (Dougzieboo and Treyboo being just a couple). We are car pool buddies and best friends; I call you my younger sister because that is what you have become to me. I love spending time with you and all our jokes during school and our car rides. You care more about me than I have myself and when I wanted to throw it all away and just give up…..you kept pushing me to be myself and never give up on what I wanted. School and our car rides are coming to a close in eight months, but I am so thankful you live so close to me that way I can see you whenever I want.

I can’t imagine life without you in it now and I hope you stay in mine for a good long time. I love you Kaitlin and I want to thank you for loving me….even when I didn’t love myself. You always saw the good in me when other people didn’t and you never once gave up on me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

XOXO,
Trey

A Note to Lisa's Son

My beautiful son....I am so very proud of you.

Please remember to always be yourself, be honest and love with all of your heart...as I love you with all of mine.

A Note to Jason from His Friend, Trey

In life you meet people who show you that even though there is evil in the world, there is still a reason to smile. You always know what to say to make me feel better and you brighten my day with kind words and smiles. I was never very comfortable being myself, I didn’t feel at home in my skin and though others tried to make me feel better and accept myself for who I was…..I never really did. And then I met you and I felt an instant connection, I knew we’d be great friends from the first time I spoke to you. We may not always agree, but I know you have my back and I will have yours. You have shown me that being gay is not a sin, but a blessing. You have inspired me and everyone around you to live life to the fullest and if there were a prize for Gay Man of the Year I know you would win hands down. You have such a big heart and you’re not afraid to show it. You are like a big brother to me in a family who is very conservative I know I always have you to turn to. You make life more bearable and more enjoyable. Your relationship with Mason has inspired me too; you two are one of the cutest couples I have ever seen. You two make me want to find a relationship and work hard to make it one of the best. I hope God blesses the both of you along your journey through life and I hope that if you get a new job somewhere far off you won’t forget me, because I certainly will not forget meeting you. I love you Jason Willis, thank you for making me feel more comfortable being myself and thank you for your tireless work to improve how people see us for who we are…..People who deserve the right to love!

"No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever."

- Francois Mocuriac

Love Always,

Trey

A Note from Alana to Her Friend (Connecticut)

hey palindromic chickee ~

i've learned a lot since we crossed paths about 4 years ago.. and while you may not see it or intend it, one of the things i have been so impressed by is your ability and willingness to say what you feel.  you know i've been doing it a hell of a lot more.  sometimes it goes well, sometimes notsomuch, but i know i'm being honest and i feel good about it..  so here goes:

i have never met anyone like you.  i don't know anyone so open, so loving, so unconditional.. i've never had a friend who is such a tremendous ally and advocate and still has a voice of reason.  you have encouraged me silently or voluminously from the day i met you and i learn from you constantly - whether to be totally comfortable with who i am, that it is ok to ask for help, the intricacies of breast feeding at a baseball field so i can teach someone someday, that i can say wife and it is totally normal, how much fun walking up and down the stairs 9,000 times can be with a 2-yr-old, when i just need to send the drafted email, how to seamlessly combine last names, what i will need to do to be a great mama, or identifying the key role-players in vampire pop-culture. 

i admire your strength, honesty, parenting, sincerity, passion, openness, goofiness and willingness to try/give/do.. you have been on the receiving end of my random gut-spilling life story messages and babblings on the edge of a deck..  you automatically, immediately, and unconditionally accepted us into your family..   you're reading this and thinking you didn't do anything. and that's just it - your everyday self is the person that has had a tremendous impact on my life.  getting to know you has made me more passionate, more open, and clearly more expressive than i ever expected i would be.  thank you for your support, being my ally, my confidant, my fellow warrior, and my friend. 

i love you & i couldn't be more thankful you were so freakishly outgoing ;)

and now come help me with this damn eyeshadow...

shine on, lady!

A *C* (yes, really) L

A Note to the LGBTQ Community from a University of Buffalo Student (Buffalo, NY)

A Note to Kay from Patrick (Los Angeles, CA)

I feel compelled to thank someone publicly for loving me for who I am and for standing up for freedom and for my basic rights as a gay man and for being a straight ally in the fight against ignorance, homophobia and fear.

The vast majority of my friends and family, straight, gay or otherwise, are either unconditionally supportive of LGBT equality or at least love ME (their favorite gay) for who I am in my totality. It is often more difficult for my straight allies to stand up in small towns or especially on social media and say they stand with me for equal protection and my right to marry who I love. It puts THEM at risk of alienating people in their life when they themselves are not gay. It brings drama to their door that they frankly don't need. To me, it is a brave and strong decision and one I do not take lightly. My gay friends are often at the forefront of this fight EVERYWHERE and I applaud them! And many of my straight friends support the cause publicly and in general, but in the past two days, Kay Galbreath Arnold has taken a specific stand for me personally!

I've been very hurt and discouraged with a lot of the hate and vitriol I have seen in the past several months (it seems more ramped up with the election and as more and more LGBT people are fighting for their rights). I posted Tom Viola's thoughts about the election and my wish for people to unfriend or de-friend me on Facebook, whatever you call it, if they are voting for someone who wants to push me back in the closet or worse. So for Kay to spread my message without fear and then continue to stand with me even as some criticize and condemn her, for that...I am eternally grateful.

There is a song from the musical SNOOPY called If Just One Person Believes In You. Thankfully I have bunches and bunches of people who believe in me and today I wanted to thank Kay for being one of them and let her know I love her and appreciate her a WHOLE lot!