"Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place."

[Collimator]

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Season 5, Episode 10, "Game Night".

Every single time I hear Andre Braugher intone those touching, profound words, I tear up a little.

Every. Single. Time.

To all those who have taken their courage in hand and made that step forward, thank you. I, myself, am a pretty unremarkable person, demographically speaking. Straight and White, my biggest fear is that people will see through to my insecurities and quirks. I do sometimes worry because I have unconventional religious views and folks in my residential community tend to run conservative.

That's why I have to offer praise and support to those who stand outside that safety zone of mainstream standards. If I had not had the opportunity to know and interact with people beyond my specific demographic grouping, I would be living a narrower, less interesting life.