I grew up in an extremely small LDS (Mormon) town in Southern Utah. Unlike other small towns mine was truly small, with a population of 150–that includes all the livestock.
It was very challenging growing up, trying to be happy and trying to understand the feelings I had about the church that had spent most of my life telling me I was wrong for the way I was living. I made the best of what I had. Only a handful of people knew I was gay, and it worked out fine that way. At least until my junior year of high school. That year I was chosen to be my school’s yearbook editor! Everything went smoothly until the principal found out I was gay.
Being religious himself, he put his beliefs before the well-being of a student. Skipping the horrible details, I went from being a straight-A student to failing all of my classes. The worst part of it all, the teacher who gave me the most problems just so happened to be best friends with my parents. This caused a huge split in my family where my mom took my side and my dad did not. I struggled with depression for the rest of the year until I convinced my parents to let me leave. So I began a new life. I don’t regret what I went through as it has only made me a stronger person.
When I was a young man I thought it was the manly thing to keep all my problems to myself and not let others see how hurt or wounded I was. I finally found others to talk to about what you went through. For me, it was the only way I could get beyond it -and- I may be projecting here -but- you sound like you need someone to talk to.
1. Straight-A student does well in school.
2. Teacher and principal intervene for his own good.
3. Student is failing all his classes, suffering from depression, and must deal with a new rift in his family.
I will never, never, never understand how an educator can look at the above sequence of events and actually think to himself, “Well, I did the right thing.” It’s amazing to me that people can be so blinded by self-righteousness that they can’t see the blatant destruction they cause to others’ lives.
Ya, I really did need someone to talk to! I had my friends, but they had no idea what it was like. My school teachers looked at me like i was sick… I never expected to deal with the thing that where presented to me, but it pushed my into finishing college starting an amazing life just so i could go rub it in their face LOL
Religious ferver sucks. I am so glad you have risen above the crap, Trevor. You sould like quite a guy.