A self-described “lucky straight woman” writes to the Spartanburg, S.C., Herald Journal on the reasons why she marches in that city’s annual LGBT Pride parade:

Yes, I am one lucky straight woman.

Many of my LGBT friends aren’t so lucky. They face social and legal obstacles I can’t even imagine as I blithely go about my life. I was teased in school; who wasn’t? But I was never teased (or worse, bullied) for who I am. I’ve never had to worry about my family and friends turning their backs on me because of how I was born.

Yes, I am one lucky straight woman.

I’m lucky because I live my life without giving undue thought about what I wear, where I go, who I love or what people think. That’s called privilege. Many of my LGBT friends aren’t lucky enough to have been born into this life of privilege.

Read the rest of her letter (second letter in column)…

Matt Comer previously served as editor from October 2007 through August 2015 and as a staff writer afterward in 2016.