{{{{Sparrow}}}}

Your profile doesn't show your age (and I'm not asking, really) but think about how you were raised. Both my parents came from very conservitive backrounds. When the issue of gay marriage (not saying you are, you didn't specify, but it's the sexuality this story relates to) started hitting the main stream media headlines, we had an annual family gathering with my mom's family. Listening to her family (both immediate, but not us, and her extended) I couldn't believe the misconceptions and hateful things they said. (They lean far right) I asked my dad (both my parents are baby boomers, born in 1944 and 1948) why when they both came from conservitive families, were we so moderate and accepting compared to what I was hearing? His answer:

"All their life they were taught what to think, we taught you HOW to think!"

You may need to change to how to think for yourself, not WHAT to think. I have gay, straight, differing race, age, economic and school backround friends. My parents had taught me to get to know the person, not the cover (cliche, I know and am full of them today). Am I guilty of making snap judgements on people? Sure, I'm human (Uh oh! I better email the home planet and let them know that! ) But I try to be as accepting as my parents taught me to be.

No matter who or "what" you are, you are worth loving and caring for! Hey! I'm blonde, suffered from clinical depression, anxiety disorder and ADHD. I am overweight and talkitive and overeager. My coworkers tease me constantly about being talkative, but that is who I am at the core. The hardest thing I have had to do is love myself, but you can get there!