Ro Rowan - 1997

I just kinda came out this way
When I was four my mom dressed me for church
She thought I'd like to have a pink dress, pig tails, long hair, lace frills
I said, mom this girly get up hurts
My self-esteem
I know you're playing out your dream
Of a cute little girl you could dress and could raise
But it's kinda not my thing and I'm inclined to let you see
The real me, a little boy underneath
Now I know I'm kinda young but to me it's kinda clear
That these tendencies I have will continue on from here
So, mom, I hope that you're on board cause I'm looking 'round this place
I'm not seein' many me’s
A single soul that can relate
To how my hair's slicked back, GI Joe backpack
Ball cap, lincoln logs, you can take them Barbie's back
Now I see you're on my side to support me on this ride
I'm gonna need it cause I'm feelin' like a mistake inside
I just like what I like
There's no thought to this fight
They're just thoughts that I think and feelings that feel real
And feel natural, and oh yeah, mom…by the way, I like girls

Drop the judge
Drop the tapes
Drop the thoughts that blind the way

Alright, now you know my mom's tight
Hella cool, pretty dope, wicked hip, super fly
She defended who I was
And took the blows so I could thrive
I can tell you she's the reason I believe I'm still alive
It was 1985, it was dangerous not to hide
That I was gay, lesbian, homo, trans…you decide
Cause to me I was just a kid trapped beneath this awkward skin
It was you who had the problem and decided I was a sin-
-Er, oh sure…little girls that would flirt, pull the corner of my shirt
Lean in close beside my ear, confess the love they've had all year
Which would be great, except for one small factor we would date
I would marry you, but you're a girl not a boy
It's the only reason why and after 'bout the dozenth time
I started to ask why I'd been chosen for this life
But at some point I made the choice I must be here to be a voice
For perhaps there's someone like me, cause at the time I didn't see
When I was just a little me there were no gays on the TV
Like all the gays there are today like Doogie Howser, Will and Grace
Modern Family, Ellen D, Ricky Martin, “Ander C”
And thank God that kids can be themselves
And not put love on the shelf
Like I taught myself to do
So I could pass and make it through as one of you
Straight America

Drop the judge
Drop the tapes
Drop the thoughts that blind the way

You didn't have a clue
About the people hiding out in Red and White and Blue
Who cares what people wear
Who people date
What makes them smile
I can't relate
To stepping on toes
Lettin' 'em know
You gotta show
That you're in the know
About who I am
See I gotta a plan
How about we celebrate our differences
And put away our mistresses
I'm talking 'bout the love affair so many have with hate and fear

So drop the judge
Drop the tapes
Drop the thoughts
That blind the way
To dropping down
Into that place
Where love, it lives and emanates
That place my mom accepted from
Her only child
This two-in-one
She paved the way
For me to say
Stand up
And be
Yourself