Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hello there! My name is Kelly Kim.
The reason why I am filming myself
for the Life Gets Better project.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
When I was in elementary school...
as a kid
I was bullied once in a while ... shrugs
My bullies were young and immature. I was picked on because I was deaf.
I was picked on...
after I finished elementary school
then I entered middle school. In sixth and seventh grades, it was not bad.
when I got to eighth grade, puberty happened
at that time, i was contemplating
if i should attempt suicide
I held all my feelings inside and
I didn't realize at that time I was myself gay
instead there was some kind of inner conflicts that I could not quite put my finger on
I especially felt very awkward
but I beared with it and continued with life and high school
then during high school, it was better
I started going to church
it helped me get through life
also, my high school friends went to the same church
Also, my high school friends went to the same church
so there were a lot of respect for each other
But at the same time during high school
I felt lonely thinking I was the only one of all, hearing friends and deaf friends...I thought I was the only gay person.
And I kept myself inside the closet
Also where I grew up, it was closed-minded, I mean, narrow-minded
Also! Where I grew up, it was pretty closed-minded, I mean, narrow-minded
it was predominantly Republican and strongly Southern Baptist area
I felt it was not the right place for me to come out
I felt quite lonely, not sure what to do and feeling lost.
After I graduated from high school
I attended Gallaudet University. The first year I still attended church.
However, at the same time, I received different kinds of exposure from the culture at Gallaudet
a wide variety of people be it gays and lesbians, very inclusive of everyone, even the transgendered. Uh... many diverse people
I felt safer and more comfortable to a point where it's okay to come out of the closet.
So, it was my second year at Gallaudet when I came out at age 19
After I came out, I felt so much better, Wow!!
When I happened to tell my family
it's odd that my family is from South Korea
My parents had immigrated to the United States (years ago).
South Korea is a predominantly Christian country so it is a pretty really big
if a son happens to be gay, wow, the Korean family strongly will disown him and they will not cherish him
So, I'm very fortunate that my parents did cherish and love for who I am
but at the same time it was hard for my parents
since I'm the first and elder son and it took time
for them to go through the process of acceptance of who I am
Now, 15 years later, things are WONDERFUL!
I'm very happy. Right now, I'm MARRIED!
Oooh, he's an AWESOME husband!
My husband is himself hearing and a teacher at a school for the deaf. He's so perfect!
Other thing is that I'm right now studying for my PhD in Language and Literacy.
I enjoy it immensely!
So, wow... Life gets better! I just can't express it just adequately
I have WONDERFUL friends
and my whole family knows about me.
and my job is great, and I enjoy it.
so, if you are contemplating suicide, feeling lonely, feeling left out, or feel out of place
whatever your feelings are, bear with it.
do something that you enjoy like focus on art...
you can focus on school, sports, or whatever that helps you get through high school.
After you graduate, then it's up to you to decide the time when you're ready to come out.
That's the the point where your life will get better! So, bear with it. Okay?
Thank you! I love y'all!