The one who was not so sure about the Bible

I had a hard time as a teenager. I mean, especially when you’re young, having to face judgement from your family regarding your identity.

I had an argument with my family the other day, when I found out they would vote for him*. What I told them was: Have you forgotten everything that happened !? I had issues with my parents in the past regarding my sexuality. I had a hard time as a teenager. I mean, especially when you’re young, having to face judgement from your family regarding your identity - knowing that you are yourself questioning your identity... that hurts.

Whatever my family knew was based on old traditions, they said it was written in the Bible. It’s not specifically written but I’m pretty sure it says it somewhere : that it is not okay to be gay. No? You don’t think so? Maybe not. Maybe it was their interpretation of the Bible.

But anyway, now it seems to me that they never understood the bigger issue, that they made an exception for me. They accepted me for being gay, but only because it was ‘me’. Whatever they think the Bible told them would always be stronger than their sense of empathy for others.

You don’t need to agree with everything but once you chose this person you become complicit of everything they believe in; and he does have a strong rhetoric against us gay men and other members of the LGBTI community.

This is when my country became divisive : when people became more individualistic and started dismissing the things they don’t believe in - thus losing empathy for some of their own people.

Joao works for the ILGA Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) in Brussels, Belgium. (*He is referring to the current Brazilian candidate for presidency: Jair Bolsonaro)

Photo and story by @soundous.boualam