I have been introduced to an entirely new category of discrimination that I, as an ignorant straight woman, have never considered possible.

One of my dearest friends is a very confident and openly gay man, but aside from his perfectly blown-dry hair, you wouldn't know it by looking at him. He is broad-shouldered and carries himself in a very masculine way. He wears Ralph Lauren solid-colored polos and khaki shorts of normal, modest length. He wears work boots and baseball hats. He looks just like an average guy.
As a result of this conservative style, he has suffered at the merciless hands of the more flamboyant gay community on campus. They tease him about his boots and look down on him for his modesty. They verbally attack him for his demeanor and ostracize him from their clique, saying that he is an embarassment to "their community."
I'm sorry, but...an EMBARASSMENT? Really? This boy, who goes out of his way to make everyone he knows absolutely comfortable, is an embarassment because he is confident enough to not have to hide behind the stereotype for which he has been judged his entire life. The group of people who have criticized him are the ones buying into said stereotype. They push their sexual orientation on people, making sure that there is no doubt that they are, 100%, gay and PROUD OF IT!

Hey, more power to you if you're gay. Honestly. I will absolutely not love you any less. Be proud of who you are, and be proud of the confidence you have in your identity. But if you're really that confident in that identity, then you should not feel the need to press it into everyone you come in contact with. Don't hide behind the make-up, the tight jeans, the crazy hats and bright hair. I mean, if you really are simply that colorful, then go for it! I love a good personal style. But don't you dare, then, judge someone else for having the confidence to be exactly who they are as well.
Shame on you! You have, without a doubt, grown up with judgement and discrimination haunting you every day. You know what it's like to be jeered at, to be publicly embarassed, to be mistreated because you are "different." How can you, then, knowing what that is like, turn around and judge someone from your own community for not fitting into the "right" mold? You hypocrites! You were judged for not fitting in, and you turn around and judge others for their not fitting in with you! How can you hate those who judge you for the very same reasons you judge someone else? How can you protest so strongly against the discrimination against you when you discriminate against each other?
You have to realize that you are weaking your own arguments for universal acceptance. You're shooting yourselves in the foot. If the rest of the world is to look upon you with nonjudging eyes, perhaps the revolution should begin within.

Take a look in the mirror. Wipe away the make-up and look inside. Become confident in the soul that lies beneath the exterior that the outside world has labeled as "homosexual." And learn to love others for the same reason you want to be loved: who they are beneath the surface.

My friend recently wrote this response to those who judge him:

"Excuse me for not wearing make-up.
Excuse me for not wearing the most fashion-forward hairstyles.
Excuse me for not strutting around campus in the gayest boots imaginable.
Excuse me for not making a drunk fool of myself in public.
Excuse me for not walking around with a shit-eating grin on my face thinking I'm the deal.
Excuse me for being me."

I think we could all use a little dose of humility. A little dose of respect. A little dose of love.

I love you, Jacob. You are gorgeous, inside and out. Your confidence inspires me.

I am lucky to know you.