Personal Narrative-Befor Before Ties

When you first think of a serial killer or you think of a psychopath you realize that they both have something in common even though they have different words to describe similar characteristics of a “monster”. John Wayne Gacy had an abusive childhood and struggled with his sexuality at a very young age, which these factors helped him become the person he did.

The road to recovery was not an easy road back. I still do the same elementary things today that I had to do to achieve recovery. I realized that honesty and open-mindedness was a must. I had to surrender all—I wanted real success.”

My role is a victim of abuse who is trying to figure out if she should stay or leave her relationship. I face a huge challenge because I have to make a huge decision that may or may not impact my life. I Am the girl friend kenyatta and close friends with jaala. When I started high school I was on my own because all my old friends went to different schools. I met one girl who i became really close with and we became best friends. Later I met this guy who I became friends with. We then start to like each other and we started dating. I then see that becoming his girlfriend was a huge mistake. A few years have passed after we met and, I seem to notice he wasn't the same as he was a few years back. He became really aggressive, controlling and really demanding

This past Saturday, on the final day of the Trans Health Conference, attendees shared their stories, learned about their legal rights, celebrated their history and looked ahead to the future of the trans and gay community.

“ Gender reaches into disability; disability wraps around class; class strains against abuse; abuse snarls into sexuality, sexuality, sexuality folds on top of race... everything finally into a single human body.”

When I first started volunteering, I wasn't enthusiastic. I didn't feel like I fit in because I’m no part of the LGBTQ community, I’m just a supporter. However, this organization helped me realize that you don't have to be exactly the same

During our first member meeting, we had a guest speaker, who provided insight and a better understanding of the transgender community. Also, our common reader; “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves” provided insight and knowledge of the transgender community. The Mini Honors Panel opened many doors and left no questions unanswered for the members of the Michigan Region. Volunteering at the Pride in the Park event connected us to the community. Reaching out to the transgender community helped to better understand and develop our Honors in Action Project including self-awareness for individuals in relation to the transgender issues.

It felt nearly impossible to feel excited about a future I could barely see myself partaking in. My health began to fail me and while I was stuck fighting a civil war in my own body, the people around me continued to move forward. I lost myself in my pursuit of some shred of my identity that I could hold onto. It would be about three years of this blind search before I would remember the stars that lit my childhood. Once again, I had found hope in the promises of what lies beyond our

On August 25, the majority freshman class and the transfer students attended the Fall Convocation, unfortunately I was unable to attend. The reason for my absence is I was attending the first University of Mississippi string orchestra practice of my college career.

In sophomore year, a friend of mine and I came up with an idea; we wanted to establish a GSA, or Gender and Sexuality Alliance, at GDS. Another person joined our team and the three of us set off to create a club that was a safe place, a place for activism and acceptance, a gateway to a more tolerant and accepting Bengal Nation. We immediately got to work into making the GSA a reality in the coming year, and it was a success. We hit lots of our goals and more this year, held successful events, and currently have over 50 members. I would think it’s safe to say that the GSA has impacted our community for the better, and that makes me incredibly proud. I really do look forward to seeing what we can become in the future if this is what we can accomplish in just one year.

Then, something momentous happened. Within a matter of five days, a mental reawakening, allowing me to get reacquainted with a woman who has been hidden for quite some time occurred. In many ways, Strive has become a potter’s wheel, molding my mind, and spirit, while steering me towards a new career path. All the more reason for me to return each day.

Maine Youth Leadership helped me fathom that I could make a difference. I wasn’t just a teenager. This belief came about during the volunteer panel of the seminar. For this, all of the ambassadors were split up in small groups and shipped out on busses to local organizations in Southern Maine. I realized that day, that no matter the circumstance, anyone can make a difference to themselves, and to their surroundings.

In just five days I had my view of pornography taken apart, dissected and reassembled, and while I don’t believe my views on pornography have drastically changed, my perspective has certainly shifted. There truly is so much to consider when attempting to form an opinion of porn, it’s mind-boggling, but in many ways, it is essential. My genuine feeling after taking this course is that in a perfect world, everyone who enjoys pornographic entertainment, or is curious about it, would take this class. Because although my views on porn haven’t changed drastically, they are far better informed and I now feel equipped to defend them with gusto, should I ever have to do so. My initial self-reflection focused on my views on violence and addiction related to pornography. However, because there is so much to discuss, I limit myself in this self -critique to revisiting the subject of violence; mainly, I consider the cultural context of the relationship between pornography and violence, as well as contemporary research surrounding said relationship.

Gay and Straight Alliance Club, a memorable experience where I got to talk to various LGBT people who were such outgoing and humorous people, they really demonstrate on how people that have a considerable difference with each other should really act. I was a lucky I had an extremely helpful friend that recommended to come over to Gay and Straight Alliance on Friday at lunch, she said that they were held every Friday and that it would be a great place to go for my observation. I was skeptical at first because I don’t like to take on new experiences plus that fact that it might really not be the best place to go for my observation, but either way I still chose to go. On Friday, February 14, I was in a frenzy to try and find someone I would

When I realized that I did not have to be the best, my life seemed happier. It was as if I opened the curtains and let the sun shine in. I was genuinely happy and it wasn’t forced or fake. I started acting like the person I truly was. I wasn’t being fake, “cool”, or trying to hang with the popular crowd. People started seeing me as the person I really am. My teachers and parents were telling me how proud they were with my changes which made me proud of my progress. It felt great to be looked at with a smile instead of an expression of disappointment. The storm had passed and the rainbow was coming