shamelessmanifesto:

So in my school we celebrated Valentine’s Day a week late because of snow days and such. Every year, one gender is given paper hearts. Boys had them this year, my senior year. The rules are that the first girl I talked to should have earned my heart. At the end of the day, the girl with the most hearts in each grade is crowned “Ms. Irresistable.” Well, being my senior year and all, I decided to say fuck it all. I colored my heart in as a rainbow and wrote “Sorry, not sorry” on it. I wore it all day around my neck, freely talking with girls.

I looked at those around me, however. I kept tallies. Seventeen people screamed something positive or encouraging to me, and I even got a few high fives and one girl said “fuck the system.” Eleven people laughed and said “fuck yeah.” Several teachers and even administrators said things like “Good for you,” or “you’re so brave. I’m so proud.”

Twenty seven people gave me nasty looks. Fourteen pairs/groups of people looked and whispered and chuckled. Six teachers gave me nasty looks.

I am done being silenced and oppressed by the homophobia that plagues my school. And I am tired of the homophobia that runs freely over the world and is accepted without question.

It’s time for a change.