Dear Rosangeli, 5 years have gone by in a flash, you're now 23 and I am assuming still living with Mom and Dad. You have to take advantage of that for as long as you can, you know they kicked Mom out early on, but like the average Hispanic home, Dad stayed for a lot longer. I hope you figured out what you want to do, or at least have some more of an idea, I know Dad contradicted himself when he was giving advice. Climb the social ladder, or stay where you are as long as you're happy and financially stable. The clash of 2 different generations, the one before Mom and Dad and the one ahead of them. Our family always pushed with greed, having the superficial look even if they were financially falling apart. Have the best bags, best clothes, shoes, and cars, while the truth got swept under the $500 rug Dad was struggling to pay off the credit card. While not all is bad with our Hispanic roots, the Salsa music that gives us chills, rice and beans we crave as memories of home, the beauty of our islands, and the connection of people, the reality is we're driven by gossip and money. Our generation is the one to break this pattern, break the reputation that success comes from the materialistic. Break the stigma others may consider miscellaneous, like how we should embrace our roots, embrace our curly hair, and peach fuzz covered skin, and that we can be all different colors. Within these 5 years my goal is, and by then to embrace the heritage but change what wasn't right, Grandma doesn't have to live with us as Abuelas and Abuelos usually do with the family. Blood doesn't always mean family, and you can be whatever you want to be no matter how much money you make. Let's keep finding what we like, what we are passionate about, and be happy.

"Coming out is letting people in." Those words are perfect to describe how my Middle and High School years felt. I found who my true friends were when they felt comfortable enough to let me into their coming-out journeys. As I graduate High School in a few weeks, I look back at the beautiful 9 friends I have now, my small community where we wear who we are with pride. I didn't need to "come out" to my friends, it didn't matter what I was, it mattered that they felt safe enough to let me in. I was proud, that as my friends became truthful with themselves, I was able to show them my nature when it came to supporting their decisions. With a Bi-sexual Mother, a very open-minded Father, gay Cousins, Uncles, and Aunts, I was born into an LGBTQ+ home. It was normal to me, I never had to come out to family, my family already accepted me as I was. While my home life was simple, entering Middle and High school was a stumble, learning not everyone is as accepted as I had been. Of course, I felt I needed to bring that same security to my loved ones, I kept calm energy surrounding the topic, I didn't need to push anyone, only show them there was and there is no judgment. As there was no judgment, there was no place for them to hide, and they didn't need to officially come out, because we didn't set a prejudice that being a part of the LGBTQ+ was unacceptable. Coming out can make individuals either uncomfortable or give others a sense of relief. You're like me, and we stand together. My friends and I stand together, letting the lost and stranded in with open arms like we have always done, and did for each other. I stand to represent that there is no normal because that is subjective to a single person's beliefs. As I show that I support, as well am a part of the community, I encourage those who are afraid to let people in and be a part of their growth and stories. I stand to represent that in the future coming out might not be a large, scary, announcement because everyone is how they are, and they don't need to explain why or put a label on their uniqueness. The community will grow so large, that it becomes a majority of the population, instead of a minority. Minds stay open, and the younger generations don't need to stumble as I and many others before me did entering new chapters in their lives, that determine who they are in relationships with friends, family, and partners.