This poem was written as a show of solidarity in the wake of India decriminalising same sex relations

~Julie Elizabeth Jose

What is wrong with me?
Why am I like this?
For she is a girl,
I have feelings for her I can’t put away…
Maybe you call that gay,
But does that matter?
Why hate on someone that loves?

I can’t see the things you say.
You say that you care and that you love me,
but when I’m around you I feel useless … worthless.
I have few things in this world that make my life worth living
And those are the things that you threaten to take away.

I bleed from unseen wounds
That you have never known about.
And when I look at them I see your name.
They appear because it’s the only way I can feel.

I feel worthless.
I feel like I don’t matter and that I never have..

You raised me.
You want me to be you,
But I can’t change who I am.
I am different and I guess that isn’t a good thing,
at least not in this family

I’m sorry I have an opinion that’s not yours
And that I fight for what I love
I’m sorry I’m not good enough for you.
I’m sorry that you ever had a daughter.

But you can’t stop me from loving her,
Neither can three digits..!