As a person with a degenerative eye disease (retinitis pigmentosa), I used to try to hide my disability. I could only do that for so long and then I had to come out of the disability closet. It was a great relief to not have the burden of trying to pretend I was something I am not. I am also a member of the LGBTQ community. I could easily hide my sexuality, but that would be disingenuous of me. So, I’m here, I’m queer, and I’m OK with that. So, there.

There is a sad irony on this National LGBT Coming Out day that the United States Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday (10/8/2019) which may allow employers to discriminate against (LGBTQ) people for being who they are. We’d like to think we live in a country committed to “liberty and justice for all,” but that doesn’t seem as important as it once was.

With LGBTQ people under threat from so many directions this year, it seems a good time to remind others that queer people and our allies are everywhere. I consider myself a member of the LGBTQ community and I’m proud of it. You may be surprised, or not; feel different about me, or not;, feel entitled to discriminate against me, or not. Fact is I don’t need to declare my sexuality on this or any other day. I can easily hide in the weeds and few people will know. However, I’d rather be who I am and remind others that LGBTQ people, and our allies, are everywhere.