These last months of tension, apprehension and fear, made me think a lot about my life, everything I have learned and I continue to learn, and those who have crossed my path.
When I was born, my parents didn't know if I would be a boy or a girl, white, black, Indian, Asian. That didn't matter to them. They were there, open-hearted to receive that little one, whoever it was. The same thing happened to the rest of my family: grandparents, grandfathers, great-grandmother, uncles and aunts, all with open arms to welcome me.
My parents taught me to respect the life of living beings regardless of Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus or Species.
I grew up with friends of all ethnicities and social classes. I studied in public and in private schools, and I never underestimated those that studied in one or the other.
I learned from my parents, grandparents and uncles that violence is no solution and only leads to even more violence.
They also taught me that knowledge is the greatest and best weapon to: understand where we came from and why things are the way they are today; to analyze and discern paths that will lead to a good future for all and not just for some; not to repeat sad stories of our or other countries; that is, learn from history.
They taught me to respect and appreciate freedom, among them that of coming and going, opinions, being who you are.
My parents always made it clear when they don't agree with the decisions I make, but even then, they always stood by me, they've always supported me. Just imagine that with this and other attitudes, my parents taught me to love unconditionally. What an appalling absurd!
I was taken to the Scout Movement by my aunt. There I met people from all walks of life. In the movement I learned that we are not alone in the world and that it does not revolve around our bellybutton or our wants, but that we need each other to survive and live. That together we can do more than divided.
I grew up learning that differences are not threatening, but enriching. Differences are what make this world amazing.
I learned to love people for being people, not for their skin color, for the gender with which they were born, for the country they came from, for sexual orientation, for religion, because that does not define them. No one is better or worse than anyone, we are all the same. What defines a person is their character, not their religion, their ethnicity, their sexual orientation, or gender.
They taught me not to be hypocritical and to be honest, and so, I never got carried away by that famous "Brazilian way".
I learned that we are all one with the planet and that we need more of him than he does us, so we have to defend him, love him, care for him.
I was also taught that the true meaning of family is not in the connection of blood but in the bond of love that we share.
Getting out of the closet was easy because I was always sure of their love for me. They never wanted anything but my happiness. They never scorned me for being who I am.
To this day my family - without blood ties - never let me down. They were always present, always supportive, always showed unconditional love during each adversity and in every good moment.
Yeah... I must have been very unlucky, for it seems that what is lately considered "of good morals" is exactly the opposite of everything they have ever taught me. For if it is so, I prefer to continue being "imoral."
