What's in a name? - Walking Through Walls Being a part of the LGBTQ community means at one point you have to "come out of the closet". This is the clich term that is used in our community when it's time to tell other people in your life that you are not straight. However, to me it sounds easy to open a door, especially one that allows you to lead a true more authentic life. But in reality, it is much harder to take that step forward to be true to yourself. What it actually feels like is that you have to break down barriers, break down the image of what everyone else sees of you and the image that you feel you have to live up too. It's harder to walk through walls than doors, it takes more of an effort to break down walls than it does to open a door. I believe that we all build walls around ourselves to protect our true identity from the world in hopes that we won't get hurt. The walls protect our true identity from the world, or so we think. The walls aren't actually protecting you at all. Walls are barriers that are stopping you from living a life that you dream of. I want all LGBTQ youth to have the courage to walk through those walls and be who they were born to be. I have not only written about my own coming out story, but have collected the stories of many other amazing people who represent the various letters in LGBTQ and have been denoted as such for each one. My goal is for you to either see some of yourself in my story, or in some of their vignettes. I hope this book is a token that reminds you whether you are a part of the LGBTQ community or not, to always have the courage to be yourself. Have the courage to break down barriers, pursue your dreams and have the courage to walk through walls.