"Detective Maggie Sawyer is the out, proud, strong woman that I strive to be on my lowest days." - By Lauren

Maggie Sawyer caught me when I was falling.

I already knew I was gay before Sanvers stumbled into my life but I was never proud. I never wanted to drape a rainbow flag over my shoulders or add a pride badge to my jacket. I was almost in hiding and ashamed of my identity, despite being aware of it for so long.

Now, I want to shout it from the rooftops.

Detective Maggie Sawyer is the out, proud, strong woman that I strive to be on my lowest days. She inspires me to love in the face of hatred. When Maggie came into my life in late 2016 with her huge dimples and beautiful smile, I would have never anticipated the lasting impact her storyline would have on the lives of me and so many others.

It’s difficult living in an environment where my sexuality is accepted on the surface, but deep down there is so much hidden uncomfortableness and disappointment. Maggie Sawyer’s relationship with her father was the representation that I was so desperately searching for. I needed someone to tell me that I was brave and strong and enough despite being consistently put down and shamed. Maggie was that someone.

Alex and Maggie’s love story gave me a love story of my own. I fell in love with the person I’ve been so scared of showing to the world: my authentic self. I’ve found a family who accept me for who I am and they inspire me to love myself; a family dotted all across the globe, brought together by our passion and the thing that quite literally saved us.

Sanvers gave me family, an identity and the constant reminder that I’m worthy of love. No matter how much pain our family is struck with, I wouldn’t change everything they gave me for the world.

Maggie Sawyer reminds me when I feel empty that I’m full of courage and resilience and strength. I’m not that scared little girl anymore.

I’m already good. And so are you.