"All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential." ~Harvey Milk, San Francisco Supervisor and first openly gay elected official in the United States

I had always known about my attraction towards men. Back in my hometown in Virginia, I had always been too afraid to come out, due to the unfavorable environment in which my discouraging parents constantly preach to me about how to deal with gay classmates. Such parental failure – them telling me to discriminate against a gay classmate simply because they were gay? Them telling me that while I was gay as well?

I distinctly remember the one health class that changed my life. That day, the teacher was discussing the harmful effects of "choosing" to be homosexual – and how it was possible to direct gay friends to "correction therapies". What a load of bull, that was, yet it encouraged me to escape from the life I had lived.

I had found a pamphlet advertising a cruise with a school on board. What caught my eye most was that the cruise originated from Boston – one of the most gay-friendly cities in the U.S. Surely, the people on board would accept me for who I am. And with almost absolute certainty, I dreamed of finally meeting an openly gay person – one whom I could confide my feelings with and who could help me navigate this treacherous sea of discrimination that is America.

So I spent months trying to persuade my parents to let me attend school on this S.S. Tipton. I told them stories of bullying, about how the public education system simply wasn't right for me, and about my (absolutely false) dream of becoming a marine biologist and how being on a ship could further that dream. At first they offered to contact the school and remedy the bullying situation, but I rebuffed this claim, stating that it would only increase the bullying. They offered to send me to the local Catholic school (which, apparently, would fit my educational needs better). I was religious only because my parents wanted me to be – so Catholic school did not appeal to me whatsoever. They didn't respond to my dream of being a marine biologist – they wanted me to become a politician who would spread religious ideals. (As if the constitution didn't clearly dictate the separation of church and state).

In any case, my parents finally agreed to let me attend school on the S.S. Tipton, all the while crying that their 'baby' was all grown up and ready to travel off in world without their 'guidance' – as if they wouldn't kick me out the house the moment they learned I was gay.

As I traveled north to Boston by bus, I felt a strange sense of ease as the bus rolled across the border into Maryland, as if fifteen years of tensed muscles simply relaxed because I left the geographical confines of discrimination. Maryland offered protection against LGBT people – Virginia had no such kindness. As I moved north, the feeling of elation and freedom simply increased. It was completely psychological, of course, yet the feeling that I was being protected with the full backing of the state governments was extremely welcoming.

The bus stopped in Boston and I climbed off, taking my two luggages from the underneath compartments and staring out at the beautiful bay. I unfolded my map and followed the directions towards Dock 5C, where the S.S. Tipton was located. At this point, I was nearly jumping with excitement at finally being able to escape my torturous life of hiding inside a closet and finally being able to liberate myself. As I climbed up the stairs, I felt happy for the first time in a long while as each step carried me towards a new life.

For the first time, I would no longer have to hide my identity. I would not have to fear losing friends and family. I would not have to live in fear that one day, my greatest secret would be revealed. I no longer had to stare at the gay books in the library but not have the courage to check them out. I no longer had to endure listening to my parents, teachers, and classmates as they sneered at homosexuals, sneering at who I am. But most importantly, I no longer had to hide who I am, and my sense of self. I certainly felt very liberated and free.

Indeed, my very dream of finding a supportive mentor, of finding supportive friends, teachers, and parental figures – that dream collapsed upon itself within my first week on the S.S. Tipton.

So, how was it? Please R&R and tell me how you think! I know Woody may be a bit OOC, considering how he's the show's comic relief...but...well...

And if you're thinking about flaming me because of the subject of this fic – and to preach to me theocratic reasons as to why you think homosexuality is a sin; go and fuck off. Seriously. If you don't agree that people are born with their sexual orientation, then why the hell are you even reading this?