Last week at a family function, my cousin had told us he had a new girlfriend. Everyone was genuinely happy for him, he’s had an interesting dating track record, and his smile that night was infectious. A few hours later our family group chat began to explode, someone had found this new girl’s Instagram, and with a few clicks located her page with almost 20k followers (impressive) and a little blue link to her Only Fans account. Within hours the excitement of a new relationship was quickly turned over into “How do we stop this relationship”. A little back story, I come from a mostly very conservative, very Christian family. I was once under the fire for coming out as gay, and thankfully things have evolved, all in time. You learn a lot about yourself and your strength when people are judging you just for who you are. 

Upon hearing this news, I didn’t think anything of it. I had never had a conversation with this girl, and who I am to judge what she does with her body. Unfortunately, most of those close-minded nitwits didn’t share my feelings. It can be so hard to love truly problematic people. His mother locked herself in her room for days, wondering what she had done so wrong that her son would be with a girl “like that”. My other cousins followed suit, and called and texted him to make sure he knew what a mistake he was making. There was a full-blown attack on this girl, to who none of us had spoken a single word. I felt like I was the only person with a working soul. 

They didn’t know her story, where’s she’s come from, or where she hopes to go. They know nothing about her. Everything they think they needed to know, was on the internet and could be subscribed to for $11.99 a month. I’ve tried my hardest to bring them into this century, to show them how this outlet does so much good for people, and remind them what she does with her body is her choice. It was interesting to me how this one minor detail threw everyone into a tailspin. If we found out she was a nurse or a journalist, I think the reaction would have been a bit different. 

She’s set to come to a party we are having this weekend, I’m very excited to meet her. She seems kind, vivacious, and confident. I can wait to hear her story, that is only her’s to tell. I also plan to do my extra best to make her feel welcome. The thing about these judgmental turds, is they eventually come around. I know this may seem cheesy, but I’ve always made sure to listen to that overdone saying, and never judge a book by its cover.