Page 185 of The Black Flamingo

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Watch movies that make it seem

a little less scary:

Beautiful Thing,Moonlight.

Be southeast London,

a daytime dance floor,

his head resting on your shoulder.

Be South Beach, Miami,

night of water and fire,

your head resting on his shoulder.

Be the fabric of his shirt

the muscles in his shoulder, your shoulder.

Be the bricks, be the sand.

Be the river, be the ocean.

Remember your life is not a movie.

Accept you

will be coming out for your whole life.

Accept advice

from people and sources you trust.

If your mother warns you about STDs

within minutes of you coming out,

try to understand that she loves you

and is afraid.

If you come out at fifteen,

this is not a badge of honor,

it doesn’t matter what age you come out.

Be a beautiful thing.

Be the moonlight, too.

Remember you have the right to be proud.

Remember you have the right to be you.

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