Mattering

My father asked if I am gay
I asked Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I said, Yes.
He said get out of my life.
I guess it mattered.

My friend asked why I talk about race so much?
I asked, Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I told him, Yes.
He said, You need to get that chip off your shoulder.
I guess it mattered.

My neighbor asked why I put that ramp up to my front door.
I said, Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I told him because it made my life easier.
He said, Is there a way to make it less obvious?
I guess it mattered.

A member of my church asked why I like gospel music.
I asked, Does it matter?
She said, No, not really.
I told her that it connects me to my southern, Christian childhood.
She said, I think you’re in denial about your oppression.
I guess it mattered.

My God asked me, Do you love yourself?
I said, Does it matter?
She said, YES!
I said, How can I love myself? I am gay, Latino, disabled, and a Christian in a hostile climate.

She said that is the way I made you.
Nothing will ever matter again.

Originally written anonymously by a gay, high school student and adapted by Mark Hicks.