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 mementos 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.
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