Before Ash entered the office, he looked at the rainbow pin attached to his right pocket, then to the open window where he could see students inside. He closed his eyes as his heartbeat quickened; he never thought this day would come.
He mentally counted, “1..2.. and 3.” Then, he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.
Ash, the incumbent secretary, stepped into the collegiate student council’s office, the weight of his laptop feeling like a physical burden. His brown eyes flickered over the ten students sitting across the room. He wore his usual white polo paired with black slacks. His tiny rainbow pin on his white pocket on the right side of his chest glinted under the ceiling light. The beige council room, lined with silver plaques of past achievements, bore witness to years of tradition and conservatism. As he walked toward the meeting table, he could hear low whispers and feel cold, sidelong glances that sharpened his resolve. Being the gay secretary in a conservative school council had its challenges. Today, he was going to pitch an idea that could lead the council to unprecedented success.
As Ash started his presentation, a male voice from the back, dripping with disdain, interrupted, “What would he know about this? What can a gay even offer the school? Knowing him, he’s too busy with his… lifestyle.”
What lifestyle is he talking about? Ash felt confused. He raised his eyebrows. People perceived Ash’s lifestyle as if it were something contagious.
The room tensed and filled with silence, many eyes darting between Ash and Eiji, the current university student president known for his conservative and traditional views. Eiji’s eyes furrowed at the sight of him, his frown remained as he leaned back in his chair. His black hair was perfectly combed to the right side, and his cold, stoic eyes were glued to Ash.
Ash felt fear at first. He paused, his hands shaking as he felt the familiar sting of belittling and discrimination. Memories flashed before his eyes: being bullied in high school, shunned by his family, rejected by his peers, and fighting for every inch of himself. But instead of anger, he felt a surge of determination. He took a deep breath, straightened his composure, looked at Eiji, and smiled.
“You’re right,” he said, locking eyes with the skeptic. “I do have a unique perspective. I may be busy with my ‘lifestyle,’ but I have a lot to offer this council. My experiences have given me the strength to push through obstacles, the creativity to see solutions others overlook, and the courage to stand up for what’s right.”
The room remained silent, the tension palpable. Ash continued, his voice steady and confident. He narrated the sleepless nights spent crafting his idea, the endless research, and the strategies drawn from his personal experiences. His proposal wasn’t just a project; it was proof of his journey and the strength he’d gained from every hardship he experienced and overcame.
Ash’s “lifestyle” was more than just a label; it was a testament to his resilience. Maybe they imagined his lifestyle as a party-goer, cafe-hopping, beach trips, but it was not. Yes, He does find time to unwind, but his lifestyle is more of a protest—a freedom to the closed mindset of society towards LGBTQ+ people. He was not all about parties and concerts; I’m in for the work.
He stared directly at Eiji and clarified, “Just so you know, my so-called lifestyle involves organizing support groups for LGBTQ+ students, advocating for mental health awareness, and spearheading charity events that raised significant funds for various causes. I’ve spent countless hours mentoring younger students who were struggling with their identities, creating safe spaces where they could express themselves without fear of judgment. Weekends were often dedicated to community service projects, like cleaning up local parks, visiting shelters, and setting up free educational workshops. I’ve been working tirelessly to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and promote acceptance in our community.”
His tone was serious and silenced the room.
As he remembered, his days were filled with meetings, planning sessions, and outreach programs—each one a step toward creating inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance.
Midway through his presentation, Ash noticed Eiji’s expression change. Little did he know, Eiji felt a slap of humiliation shortly and regret for his attitude earlier.
While Ash proceeded with his discussion throughout the presentation, for the first time, there was a glimmer of curiosity in Eiji’s eyes. He leaned forward, his fingers intertwined with each other. But before Ash could finish, one student interrupted, “Wait, Ash. How exactly do you plan to implement these ideas without the support of the administration?”
Ash paused, sensing a genuine question rather than another attack. “I’ve already spoken to several key members of the faculty and some executives of the university,” he replied. “They are willing to back our initiatives if we can present a unified front. This isn’t just about my vision; it’s about all of us working together to make a difference and build a more unified campus.”
Eiji leaned back, his skepticism replaced by contemplation. “Alright, but what about the funding? These projects aren’t cheap, and you know the council’s budget is limited.”
Ash smiled, anticipating this challenge. “I’ve also drafted a funding strategy, including sponsorship proposals and solicitations. If we work together, we can secure the necessary funds.”
Eiji nodded slowly, clearly impressed despite himself. The other council members exchanged looks, the initial coldness melting away.
In the end, the room stayed silent, not with prejudice, but with awe. Their cold glances turned into admiration. Ash had laid bare his soul, and in doing so, revealed the true potential of his vision. The council voted unanimously in favor of his proposal, their initial skepticism transforming into genuine respect.
As Ash packed up his laptop, Eiji approached him, offering a begrudging nod. “Look, Ash. I underestimated you. I’m sorry,” Eiji admitted, his voice softer than before. Eiji always thought of himself as the right one, but time came and someone gave him a sense of reality.
Ash smiled, not out of triumph, but hope. “It’s time we all start seeing people for who they really are,” he replied. He packed his belongings, waved goodbye to Eiji, and walked out of the room.
Eiji stood alone as the students soon left the room. He felt bad for treating Ash as someone unequal, so he made a mental note to make amends to him somehow. As a man of his word, he must walk the talk.
The next few weeks saw a remarkable transformation. Eiji and Ash began working closely together, their initial animosity giving way to mutual respect and, surprisingly, friendship. They spent long hours discussing strategies, often late into the night, finding common ground and learning from each other’s perspectives.
At the next council meeting, Eiji stood up and addressed the group. “I want to acknowledge Ash’s contributions and leadership. His ideas have already started making a difference, and I believe we’re on the path to something truly great.” Students clapped for Ash, giving him a few minutes of rounds of applause. He noticed real, genuine smiles coming from others, but Eiji’s was more noticeable.
Ash felt a swell of emotion. He smiled at everyone and bowed. He had not just found acceptance; he had gained an ally. After the meeting, as they prepared the list of activities to be conducted for the academic year, Ash left the room with hope that this was just the beginning of him being heard and understood.
While Ash was walking on the grey pavements of the university grounds, a familiar voice called him back. “Ash, wait!” Ash turned around, and it was Eiji running towards him. He halted before Ash, panting furiously with his hands on his knees and his face to the ground. He soon straightened his back and said, “You left this. Maybe it fell on the floor recently.” Eiji gave his hand to Ash and opened it slowly; it was his rainbow pin. Ash picked it up and put it inside his pocket and gave him a faint smile. “Thank you.”
Ash nodded and glanced at the sky, smiling. Eiji followed his gaze. They both looked at the pastel blue and pink skies combined with feather-like clouds all over and noticed in the distance that the pale orange sun was going down; the journey was far from over, but with Eiji by his side, he knew they could face any challenge together.
