“After I came out to the girls I work with at the Boys and Girls Club, so many of them have told me about themselves. They came out to me as bisexual, or lesbian, or whatever. It’s almost like we have our own secret that we share. The boys wouldn’t care what I’m doing, but the girls do. I love how comfortable the girls are with me as they have that conversation or ask me questions. And we talk about heavy subjects like sexual assault and sexual health. I love when they talk about the girls they have crushes on at school. It’s really sweet, but it also gives me a lot to think about.
We have one girl who’s from a traditional Christian family. And she would never in a million years tell her family. It’s not even on the table. But she knows herself. What makes me sad is when I think about this one time we were sitting outside and she told me she had a crush on this boy. And I was like, ‘What are you talking about? You don’t!’ We kind of have that relationship where I can say that to her. And she was like, ‘Yes, I do.’ And I was like, ‘You don’t even like boys. What are you talking about?’ And she was like, ‘Jenna, can you just let me pretend?’ That kind of comment does hurt me because I don’t want her to have to pretend or go against how she feels. She struggles with it. But it’s not my business to say, ‘Screw your family. Do whatever you want.’ She loves her family and they’re close. But I know they’re never going to accept that part of her.”
— Jenna Kapp (she/her), 25, be whoever you want, do whatever you want.
