SARAH ELIZABETH, 16, HILLMAN, MI

Your First Name: Sarah Elizabeth

Age: 16

Where do you live? Hillman, MI

Tell us about your family: I have a lesbian mother & aunt and a gay cousin. I technically have two moms but they don't live together anymore.

What is your favorite hobby, sport or activity? Reading/Literature. Drinking Coffee. Creating things. Photography. Music. Fashion. Art. Quotes. Dancing. Deep/Opinionated conversations. Life.

Do you participate in any COLAGE activities, events or programs? Which ones? Do you like them? Why? Family Week in Saugatuck, MI. It's a great opportunity to meet with other kids who have a LGBTQ family and share our experiences and create good friendships.

What is the hardest thing about having gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parent/s? Having to deal with ignorant/close-minded people on a daily basis sometimes as well as put up with the ignorance/close-mindedness of society in general. Getting people to see that our family is not perverted or "abnormal" is the biggest challenge I've faced with having a LGBTQ family

What's the best thing about having gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parent/s? The best thing for me about having an LGBTQ family is that you are raised in a very open environment and your opinions are welcomed not stifled. Having an LGBTQ family for me has made me a stronger person considering ive had to deal with societys idea of what is "normal".

What do you wish the world knew about people with LGBTQ parents? We are not perverted, or insane. We are also not automatically a LGBTQ just because our parents are. For some its true, but for many its not.

What advice or ideas would you want to share with other kids who have LGBTQ parents? Come to family week! It's a great time and experience!