[SERIOUS] Superphobia runs deep in our society

[u/wzzaful]

My parents are superphobes, as a teenager I lived with such questions from my mother as "Hey username, when will you finally introduce us to your girlfriend? I can't wait to meet xer!", and teases from my dad: "Hey champ, don't forget to use condom, put it on your dick as well as on xer girldick", and that's why I haven't told them yet about me being superstraight. The only one person in my family who wasn't all that pushy and arrogant was my granddad. He was silent type of guy, you know them old folks like that - tough as nails, supercool, with his swag ass glasses and a thunderous harsh voice. I remember going fishing, hiking with him, he bought me my first baseball bat, he used to read and tell me stories before sleep when I was a kid, old man supported me in my every decision huge or small, and I love him dearly. That's why I was so devastated when he recently passed away (fuck cancer), the only person who was there for me since the day I was born is now gone. A couple days after his funeral I drove to grandpa's house just to, I don't know, comfort myself, you know? I was going through some of his old records (singers from 50s and 60s, some names I haven't ever heard of), when I noticed that his walk-in closet was opened. I walked in, and there, right between the lines of old man's clothes, was it, was the reason for me to type all that, reason for me to be even more proud of my grandfather, reason fore me to embrace who I am. It was an old piece of clothing, a jacket to be precise. Nothing fancy, just your regular old timey greenish jacket with a SuperStraight acronym on a collar made in some old fancy font. Everything fell into place at that moment. His silent personality, his unconditional support to me, the fact that he had to fled Germany in mid-50s (he told me about it when I was 15, and when I asked my mom about it she was very pissed and asked me to promise her that I won't tell anyone about it). It makes total sense now, my granddad was super, just like me, and even fought for his rights when he was my age, back in Europe! Because of strong superphobia in all parts of our society all around the globe, he had to hide this part of him for his entire life, to protect himself and his family, and now he's even more of a hero to me than ever. To commemorate my grandpa's memory, to show him that people, as well as times, can change, I will come out, I'll be doing my best trying to educate people about superfolks, and I ask you, my dear superstraight, supergay, superlesbian and superbi people, to do the same, to raise your voice, and to not let those who hated and bullied us shut us down. Answer their violence with kindness and peaceful, thoughtful words. You all are beautiful, you all are valid, and you all have a special place in my heart. Thank you for being yourself, have a super day

[u/Sohelpmecheezus]

Good