I mentioned that I come from a religiously conservative background. I don't often get to be my full self in a public space because my family is still very close to me. I've learned that sometimes safe is silent, and I think that's a shame.

I think "safe" should be nested in freedom of self-expression so long as we are not hurting anyone else.

A wish I have is for it to be okay to be me in this grand world. Not just when it comes to my family, but when it comes to broader spaces like this one. I noticed a bevy of downvotes when I expressed my bisexuality and polyamorous curiosity. It's one thing to disagree. It's another to press your religion through your fingertips to block someone's access to joy (or steem), and I'm guessing that's what's happening.

I used to believe I had to express my disapproval by implementing consequences for people.

By Saraware (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

That was a tenet of religious acceptance--do it right or go to Hell. It's also a common bullying tactic. Give me what I want or I'll hurt you.

It's not really hurting me to downvote me, but it is a bummer. I mean, if my writing sucks, that's one thing. If it's because you dislike my worldview, that's a different type of judgment entirely. I love this space. I want to be loved in this space. Or really, I want to be loved in any space.

There is not straightforward if you're not straight, white, Christian and male.

I'm queer, Other, agnostic and female. Just like my parents told me, I was born all wrong.

I don't believe I was born wrong, though.

Thing is, if there's one thing that stuck with me from religious doctrine, it's that, if there is a Creator, I was created by that entity perfectly. So cheers to that and to shaking off the haters. Happy steeming!