I’ve been silent. Originally, my intention was to amplify voices more urgent than mine. Now I’m just afraid to speak. My partner, who has struggled with discrimination all his life, urged me to speak the solidarity I feel. He told me that no one will fault a person of privilege for making mistakes or asking questions. He told me doing nothing was the worst thing I could do and he was right.

The power of social media is profound. It offers an unprecedented opportunity to be heard and an accompanying unprecedented level of responsibility. Call out culture and the habitual spreading of unchecked facts is a sad and dangerous side effect.

The history of the United States is full of arrogance, injustice, and manipulation. I first felt it when, at 15, a judge accused me of fabricating my molestation three years earlier at the hands of a Christian camp counselor. As a result, I refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance which led to my harassment by students and teachers. An article in the high school newspaper encouraged student retaliation and led me to boycott my own graduation ceremony.

I opted not to stand because America doesn’t strive for justice for all. As a nation, we value ego over people. We systemically step on and over people who threaten positive change. I’ve done admittedly little to incite change. I’ve simply tasked myself with encouraging people to feel comfortable in their own sexual and gender identities. I want to keep trying.

I don’t want my voice to dilute this moment. I don’t want my silence to betray my support. Please stay informed, present, and conscious.