Let me preface this by saying that I am not the voice of the LGBTQIA community; I am a cis-gendered, heterosexual, happily married mom.

But let me ask you a couple of things: Did you feel this way when Black people started taking leading roles in movies and TV? Many white people did. “Why would I want to watch a show about Black people?” they’d say, making those faces you describe wanting to make.

People deserve to have entertainment that features — in positive, leading roles — people who look like them and love like them. I’m not talking about people who hurt other people. But this leads me to my second question: Why do you care so much about the sexuality or gender expression of other people? Clearly, these are not people you see as potential dates or mates. I’m fairly sure they’d agree — they wouldn’t be attracted to you, either. If they were, a simple “no” will suffice.

Wait — do you think it won’t? Oh, why would that be? As a woman, I can only laugh, if that’s your worry. That is women’s lived reality, every day.

The solution, for you, is easy: Watch old movies. Listen to instrumental music. Ask a librarian for books that will make you happy.

Let everyone else out of the corners and closets to live their lives. They only get one life to live. They shouldn’t have to wait for you to catch up.