What's behind "The Closet Doors"?

For many of us, our closets hold so much of what represents our lives. Not only is the closet referred to as a well-known metaphor for someone who has “come out” in the LGBT community; closets hold our clothes for work and play, our décor we pull out for special occasions, souvenirs from years past, and often, our dirty laundry. My small apartment on the coast of Maine has only one, quite small closet that I share with my wife. This hole in the wall is jam packed with our personal belongings and often overflowing. Holiday decorations, clothes from our wedding, childhood mementoes and cat carriers, not to mention our everyday clothing overwhelm the tiny space behind the two mirrored sliding doors. Mirrored! Not only is this closet a metaphorical reflection of who we are, but every morning, is a literal reflection of our lives whether we like what we see or not.

Looking through these items in my closet, one could easily see that I am a gay, overweight butch who has lived her life with craniofacial differences. I am an advocate for both the LGBT and individuals with disabilities communities. I am a 26 year old living on the coast of Maine who just lost her father and is proud of both her Vermont and New Zealand heritage. I am a student teacher. I am an Episcopalian. And I also have a lot of dirty laundry! If someone took the time to dig through everything in my closet, they would find these different pieces that make up who I am.