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I was convinced I was worth less than my straight peers. I was at best inauthentic, and the longer I went without amending that dishonesty, the more ashamed I felt.

I have values I believe in and certain things I stand for.

My values - going back to my childhood - were always based on respect for all people and rejection of bigotry and racism.

I don't value authority. I don't value the systems. I don't value patriarchal religion. I don't value the things that diminish you when you do tell the truth. So I'm not scared of the end result, and that is the biggest asset I have.

That said, your values will not always be the object of public admiration. In fact, the more you live by your beliefs, the more you will endure the censure of the world.

I haven't done anything that I'm ashamed of.

I have a sensible set of values that tell me to never lie.

Sure, I'm ashamed of a lot of the things I did, but at the same time, I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't gone through those experiences.

But rarely have I made choices that made me feel I was really compromising what I believe.