Great again? I ask you to imagine a past.

Imagine waking up weekly to join family and the only community you know in order to stand with them while being put down by someone everyone followed. Now, imagine knowing that all of these people not only support this hatred but also give decisive power those who wish to put you down further. Imagine this—my childhood—is your childhood. Furthermore, imagine a powerful woman that could be the one to help you to the light at the end of this dark tunnel. This light faded as she took a stance on an issue, and at that moment, she seemed to join the oppressing crowd. Imagine this driving you to give up on life. Imagine forgiving this, and believing in her.

This powerful woman has changed and now supports me and those I love. Earlier this year, she put into existence a basket of deplorables—a basket that needed acknowledgement and is escapable through recognition and correction of our mistakes. She, like many of us, has spent some time in and climbed out of that bucket. If we do not at the least acknowledge our mistakes, we will remain in this basket where time reverts and hatred flourishes under red banners that have held back our children, harmed our educations, malnourished our economy, and ignored public health. I prefer to stand with her and you outside of the basket.

Finally, I ask you to imagine a possible future.

Imagine being asked to return to a day where your love, parenthood, or current existence is forbidden. Look to those you hold dearest, whether it be your friends, husband, wife, or children, and imagine them being pried from your arms. Imagine existing without them. This is domestic terror, and no, this is not great.

I would like to say that I, like Hillary, support a decision in voting either way. But given that human rights are at stake, I find this impossible. For those I love and their futures, I hope that you joined me in voting for Hillary and the overarching banner that will encourage a loving and caring humanity.

With love, Your gay friend, son, sibling, and fellow American.