🏳️‍🌈As a young person my journey with Sexual Identity was paved with privilege. The most significant form of privilege being one that we don’t talk about much, the privilege of supportive parents. When my Dad caught me kissing a girl when I was sixteen, he just asked me to talk to him about it. When I was 19, I confided in a Family member about a Girl I had a crush on and how confused I was and that I thought I might be bi-sexual. They thought it was wrong and told my Mom. My Mom sat me down, told me she was sorry my family member had betrayed me by telling her something so personal but that she wanted me to know that whatever I discovered about my sexuality, it was okay, and that I would have a great life. Even thought they grew up in conservative households my parents did the work to create a safe, supportive space for me to discover who I was. I am very, very Lucky. But not everyone is so Lucky. Many LGBTQ2S+ people face only shame, ridicule, abandonment and violence from their parents. One of the greatest gifts of playing Maryse on @shadowhunterstv has been connecting with so many of you who share your stories and your pain about your difficult families. I stand in awe every day of your strength, fortitude and grace in the face of such discrimination from the people that are supposed to love you most. I am so sorry that you are not respected and loved the way that you deserve by the people who are supposed to care for you. You are Incredible and Loveable and Beautiful and full of Value! You are a Gift! And to all of you whose families have hurt you I want to say this: Your CHOSEN FAMILY is out there waiting for you! And you will be happy, and you will be loved, and you will be appreciated and respected and cared for and supported. And your chosen family will DESERVE you! I feel deeply sad that your parents won’t get to be a part of your amazing life. That is their loss. But I am OVERJOYED for the chosen family you will find that get to Love you! HAPPY PRIDE! Mama Loves You!!!🏳️‍🌈🎉❤️🏳️‍🌈🎉❤️ @glaad @pfl