There are long periods in history where for some reason or another, a person has had to hide their identity. Some awful cases exist even today.

I know there are some well-known examples and others that seem to have faded, though they definitely shouldn't have. One of my core beliefs is that people should be allowed to be whatever and whomever they choose to be.

I don't understand how any one person could claim to know what the 'right' or 'acceptable' way is. And how does it really affect one person's life that the other exists. It's one thing for me to go around and try to convert people to be something else, and another for me to just be that on my own. In my opinion only the weak fear what's different. The uneducated seek comfort in being close-minded.

What I hate with even more vigor are people who discriminate just to be a part of 'the gang.' While one is stupid and ignorant, the other knows full well the atrocity of such behavior and continues to do it nonetheless.

I was thinking today that I don't spend enough time appreciating the liberty I have had. Luckily, I've never been discriminated against, at least to my knowledge. I've been classified as "you people" several times in my life and have always spoken up to let people know that just because I might be in what's labeled as a minority, it's not suddenly okay to segregate.

In the same way, I don't enjoy when the minorities themselves use this separation to their advantage. I don't like it to be "women's month" for anything. That implies that women are still a minority and need to be handled as a separate entity. I remember reading in Heather's interview at the women zinester survey that her vision for "women's web" is a place where such a term is unnecessary and thinking that I loved her answer. I don't want to read into her words or put words in her mouth but for me, the fact that someone needs to single "women" out means there still is a problem.

I'm all for people being proud of who they are. All for people with the same beliefs or issues getting together and using each other for support. But the minute these people use the segregation to their advantage, to me it's like they're supporting the ideals of the people who put them in this position in the first place.

Today, I'm feeling thankful that I live in a city where people don't judge me for my differences. I feel thankful for having had a smooth life and thankful to those who fought for me to be able to have this life. It's crucial that people fight against being forced to hide their identity.

For if we lose that, what have we left?

Previously? At the Ballet.