I sat in those meetings every Thursday for almost five years, so I can assure you that everyone is scared at first - scared of our families finding out, scared of rejection, and scared of each other. There’s nothing more beautiful than saying what you are to a room full of strangers who clap for you, and that is something I wish for every queer person. When we went around the room introducing ourselves, many people said things like, “I’m a lesbian” - then, after a pause, “That’s the first time I’ve said that out loud.” That first meeting was filled with other kids like me, fresh from small towns, eager to start their lives. We meet on Thursdays!” I took a flyer and left. Finally, after building some courage, I stepped up. I saw the rainbow flag from a distance and pretended not to see it while I slowly passed every other table. There were hundreds of tables set up where upperclassmen waved and handed out flyers. On the first Saturday of my first year away from home, the field was transformed into a student club fair. A grassy field behind my freshman dorm at college changed - and maybe saved - my life.
