yes, grandpa

It does actually help when you start naming every single gay person that you know. It does actually help when you say that I’m not the first person in the family to come out. If you got me rainbow-themed gifts for the rest of my life for every single occasion, I would not care. I would cherish every bit of it. I know what your political beliefs are, but you still love me. Your religion doesn’t get in the way of how much you care for me. I wish my mom’s side of the family could understand that. But thank you. Thank you for not being the one who makes me cry tears of anger, sadness, and frustration. Even if the way that you pronounce the word “gay” sounds funny to me, I will always be able to cry tears of joy knowing that I didn’t lose another member of my family because of homophobia.

I wish my trauma didn’t cause me to doubt you,

Syd