This is the story of an intersex person and his family embracing diversity and providing mutual support, empathy and love.
As its name implies, a safe house is where there is no war, no conflict, no violence, and no discrimination against anyone.
I grew up with unconventional changes in my body. My biological sex is female, but things were completely opposite when I came into puberty. I did not develop breasts, my voice became deeper, and my leg hair, arm hair, and moustache were getting darker every day. That was not the first time I realized it. Right from the age of 5, I had faintly felt my difference from others, through the burden imposed by the acts and words of people around me. During those years of feeling uncertain and afraid of myself, I tried to find out what happened to me.
Fortunately, though I had many days of struggle within myself, my home was always there for me. My mom always welcomed me with her smile, as well as lots of love and tolerance. When I was in the 10th grade, mom gently encouraged me to live like a boy as I wished. She took me to a hairdresser to get my hair trimmed, bought me new clothes, and even talked directly to my home class teacher about my differences. From that day, my life turned over a new leaf. My anxiety and loneliness have greatly reduced.
I still remember the days when I first came out: some people accepted and empathized, but some people were indifferent or even pushed me away. At those times, my parents and siblings all stood up to protect and support me, both physically and mentally. Thanks to that, I am free to follow my feelings and have the motivation to become a better version of myself every day. I am so in love with my "family" - a home that is genuinely safe for me.
Now I have my own community and my new friends, who are willing to share all the joys and sorrows in life with me. But if we talk about safer homes for LGBTIQ people, I wish for a home with its true meaning, not only for LGBTIQ people, but also for everyone in our society so that we can learn to live in harmony.