Mom and Dad,

I am writing you this letter because I have something very important that I want to tell you and I want to get this out right. Before you worry,

everything is OK. In fact, I am more than alright.

I know this may come as a bit of a shock to you (or maybe not). I love both of you so much. What I want to tell you is that I am gay. Before either

of you have the chance to blame yourselves, I need you to understand that this has nothing to do with the way that I was raised or with you as

parents.

I have been struggling with this for years and a have finally come to terms with who I truly am. I know that you may have imagined a different life

for me, and I cannot help but imagine that there is some disappointment. But things (equal rights) are changing for the better every day. Maybe

you are you thinking to yourselves, “Gay children are something other people have, but not us.” That’s okay. I don’t expect you to come around

immediately. You can still love me and have trouble initially accepting who I love. What I do need for you to understand is that this was not a

choice. It is who I am.

I am sorry that I am writing this in a letter. It is not because I feel that I cannot talk about my feelings to you directly, but because I believe that

I will be able to better express my thoughts through my words written on paper. I understand that all of this information may be overwhelming

and quite a bit for you to take in, and I’m sorry if this causes you any unnecessary stress, but I’m tired of living according to what others think is the

right way to live. I've had years to think about this, and I have accepted myself as a gay woman.

I thought if I met the ‘right’ man I would fall in love, marry, etc. After some time of soul searching I HAVE discovered what I am really looking for.

My relationship with Justin was nice, I was sure that what I felt towards him was the kind of love that is felt between two individuals in a healthy

relationship. And I’ll admit that I might have pushed myself into the relationship because I was desperate to find love. Even though at times I was

happy, I more often than not, felt lost. I so desperately wanted us to work and to be able to live “happily ever after,” but in the end neither of us

could force it or fake it anymore. There was no electricity or magic. I felt alone, even though I was with someone who cared about me.

I don’t know why it took me this long to come to the realization that I am gay and I am not going to look back and ask why. It is just the way that

it happened and the way that I have always seemed to do things. My situation is not unique. There are a number of people who later in life who

discover their genuine self and realize that it is never too late to be happy.

I know society often argues that homosexuality is wrong because of what the Bible says. Leviticus may say that homosexuality is a sin which is

punishable by death, and we seem to accept the idea that homosexuality is still a sin today. Yet, Leviticus also says that it is a sin to have children

that are disobedient, to wear clothes of mingled fibers, to cut your hair or beard, or to touch/eat any sort of shellfish. Matthew says that divorce

is a sin of sexual immortality. Some of these sins are said to be punishable by death (including cursing your mother or father). These are laughable

notions this day in age so why would we view loving someone of the same sex any differently?

I love you both, with all of my heart, and I hope that you both can find it in yourselves to continue to love and support me, even if you don't

approve. I have so many worries rushing though my head and heart right now. I’m terrified of being pushed out of your lives. I’m worried about

hurting or disappointing you. Mostly though, I hope that you will accept me and love me no matter what.

You have told me that you are proud of me and I have grown up to be a good person, daughter, niece, cousin and friend. I hope you still feel this

way. I am the same person as before. Nothing else has changed. This is very hard for me to do, and I hope you will forgive me for not telling you

sooner. Please know that I would never do anything to purposely hurt you, and that I want nothing less than to make you happy and proud. I am

still the exact same person who helps Mom pack her suitcase for trips and who watches and loves the pups while you are out of town. I’m still the

same daughter who painted Dad’s garden rocks and helped when he had his shoulder surgeries. I’m the same Brooke that y’all have always known

and loved.

I am sure you both will have many questions to ask of me; and I assure you, I don't have all or even most of the answers. I understand if you need

some time, I have taken years to come to terms and make peace with this. So, I completely respect if you need some time to think things through.

I love you both so very much.

Love Always,

Brooksie