"Growing up gay-but not knowing it-meant I knew I was different, and it was also made clear to me that my difference wasn't okay. I wasn't the boy I was supposed to be-according to my classmates, my father, my grandfather, and my neighbors."
"The pain of being an outsider child doesn't go away when, as adults, we're finally experiencing good adjustment and happy results: The pain remains inside and is always easily accessible."
Growing up feeling different, particularly as a gay boy, can lead to feelings of shame and self-consciousness. Adversity often fosters resilience, but the pain of being an outsider can linger into adulthood. Experiences of exclusion and ridicule from peers and authority figures contribute to a lifelong struggle with self-acceptance. Encouraging self-acceptance is vital for everyone, as it helps individuals embrace their identities and overcome the challenges associated with feeling different.
Read at Psychology Today
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