SHARK TANK APPROVED 
By: Alyssa Showalter
It is from the tragedy in Orlando that I wish to speak up as a supporter of the LGBT community. I have many friends who are apart of that community, and I must say they are my family in many ways. When I see people attack them, I feel them attacking me, and as a fiery redhead, I will not sit by and watch. From personal experience dealing with hatred and bullying, my heart goes out to victims of senseless hatred.
When I was alone, had no friends, and people teased me for my looks and attitude. It was a classmate, who identified as homosexual, that sat next to talk me to me. Didn’t know my past, didn’t care that I lost my temper, and loved my red hair.
They made me feel like I was not an ugly freak. In a world that wants right and wrong, good and evil, they forget that there is no such thing. That people are abstract and deserve to be perfectly imperfect.
It’s not wrong to stand up for what you believe in, and it’s not right to feel hatred to the ones who cause pain to the innocent. We are all human, and we all feel emotions. I understand this, and I believe we all understand this, but it is important to show love and support to those who get knocked down. Us redheads know this very well, and understand that it’s important to remind others that it is okay to be who you are. To shine like the bright starts that we are, and never back down or get back in line. To strut our stuff with no regrets or apologies, and loving every one of our freckles.
Everyone deserves to love themselves and celebrate it. For me, it’s my red hair, as for others it’s their sexual orientation. The LGBT community has never hurt anyone, and never intends to force their life style onto others. Like many of us, they want to live their lives peacefully by being themselves. I know that feeling and burning desire. I show my support by loving my friends and family that are apart of the LGBT community by spreading love.
“…it is important to show love and support to those who get knocked down. Us redheads know this very well, and understand that it’s important to remind others that it is okay to be who you are.”
Rock it like a Redhead, and spread the love and support that people need in their lives. You don’t have to understand in what they do, but just show them it’s okay. They need that as much as we need it. It’s okay to be redheaded in a blonde and brunette world, and it’s okay to be homosexual, bi-sexual, transgender in a heterosexual world.
