“Even the wise man acts in accordance with his inner nature. All beings follow their nature. What good can repression do?” – Bhagavad Gita 3.33

It saddens me deeply how so much of my generation is adopting the hateful beliefs of their parents and grandparents. It may be difficult to maintain hope, but hope persists so long as those who respect the right to be continue in joyousness and fervor. 

The right to be is the foundation of the Moral Law and central to my system of beliefs. I have summed it up in this way as well: “One’s will ends where another’s will begins.” No one has the authority to dictate who someone else should be or who they should love. 

From outside the cultic nature of my former religion, this maxim seems like common sense – and, really, it is. But within that closed-off space, conformity is crucial. Repression is a tool for control, and this is truly the death of the human being. Some religions call inner nature “sin,” but this is a lie – a lie that has altered millions of lives throughout history in a way that is not conducive to the growth of our species, both as a collective and as individuals. 

I know what it is like to be the person who assumes he knows what is best for others. I know what it is like to be hateful and hell-bent on policing others’ very existence. 

You very likely do not know your neighbor’s story as well as you think you do. And because of this, there are millions of children who are growing up in fear, because as soon as someone realizes who they are, their world will come crumbling down. 

And for what? The happiness and joy that comes from a relationship should be celebrated regardless of who is in the relationship, who they love, and who they identify as. 

The right to be is fundamental to our humanity and our existence. To deny anyone their identity is to deny their humanity, and this is the rawest form of hatred and selfishness. 

Leaving this narrow-mindedness can be exceedingly difficult. I would know. But it is possible, and it begins with a single question. 

“Why?”

Why care what makes others happy? Why belittle others for what makes them happy at nobody’s expense? Why do you believe others living their lives to the fullest has any negative effect on you?

None of this does. There is only one effect that another person living their life to the fullest should have, and that is joy. That is happiness that another is happy because they are able to live their life to the fullest – and on their terms. 

But hateful remarks do have an effect on others – more than you know. As such, kindness also has an effect on others. It costs nothing to be kind and affirming, and it means much to those who need it most. 

The human experience is a beautiful thing, and all are part of the diverse tapestry that is humanity. Diversity is not to be tolerated – it is to be celebrated. 

So let us celebrate.