{trigger warning: homophobic slur}

Age: 8

"Mum! Mummy!" I called out.

When I heard 'Shout to the Lord' playing from the kitchen, I ran in to find Mum cooking.

"Mum!"

She turned around with a frown on her face. "Abel, don't yell in the house. I'm right here."

I bowed my head. "Sorry."

She just sighed and continued chopping. "What did you want honey?"

"I know what I want for my birthday! I want a Barbie doll because Kace has one and I want ours to play together."

Mum's knife stopped midway through slicing the tomato as she turned to look at me. Before she could answer, my dad came into the kitchen with an angry expression.

My stomach dropped.

He was shaking his head and pointing a finger in my direction as if I had done something bad.

"What is this I hear? I will not have my son playing with Barbie dolls. Those toys are only for girls and gay boys. You don't want to be a faggot, Abel. They are disgusting with their sinful choices."

My eyes started tearing up in confusion. "But Dad--"

"This conversation is over. Go to your room and stay there until dinner is ready."

Immediately, I sprinted out of the kitchen in tears and headed straight to my bedroom. Once I was laying on my bed, I buried my face into my pillow.

What's a "faggot"? Am I one? I don't wanna be "disgusting".