How awesome was that weeklong series that the NY Times just wrapped up? It’s all about what it’s like to come out as a teenager in America right now, and gosh darn have things changed since the days when we were wee young things.
Except it also hasn’t changed. The teens whom the Times profiled face a lot of those universal woes that we all can recognize: getting bullied, feeling lonely, fearing rejection, and falling in love.
And those are just in the four main stories. There’s also the amazing submissions from readers. Here’s a few of our favorites:
- “I decided at about age 9 or 10 that I was going to fake being straight for the rest of my life.”
- “There is not even a word for queer or lesbian in my native language.”
- “We haven’t told many people about this, but we’re together.”
- “My entire family trans-bashes me on a daily basis.”
- “I knew I was going further than my bully ever would.”
- “Either never see the girl again or leave the house.”
- “I kissed my first boy on Mardi Gras.”
- “Being gay will be one of the best parts of yourself, because it is about who you love”
But really, you should go read them all.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Thom
“I decided at about age 9 or 10 that I was going to fake being straight for the rest of my life.”
I remember I decided to do this, too. Then I had my first crush. However I’m still not out, I’m 19 and I don’t know what I’m waiting for. I’ve never had a boyfriend or any type of relationship. I plan on telling a good friend this summer, hopefully things kick off from there.
Clementine
@Thom:
Hey, before you take the plunge to be a deviant anarchist Socialist the rest of your life, I challenge you to muse for a few hours about the fact that all you’d be doing is rebelling against growing up. Because seriously, that’s what this is all about anyway. And besides, there’s nothing, absolutely NOTHING, better than not having to satisfy sexual urges all your life by poking around in some male species toxic waste cavity and its orifice. If you’re mentally stable, then the very thought of delving into the human toxic waste portal would send you reaching for a hammer and nails to seal that mentally retarded closet door shut for-EVER.
TimBo
@Thom: Thom coming out is all about inner strength and your own personal comfort zone…. If it doesn’t feel right then do not force yourself, do it when you feel confident and have a good support network from close friends.
Good luck and keep it strong.
Right Wingers Are Socioptahs (John From England)
@Clementine:
Hugs.
Sleep well. 🙂
Aaron
Clementine, I’m not sure you’re the best judge of “mental stability”.
Navi
@Thom: Don’t wait too long or you’ll regret not telling anyone. It feels so good to be who you are. I came out last year and I’m so happy I did.
mark
@Clementine:
Congrats u dumbass! You successfully confused “anal sex”(something hetrosexual couples do) with sexual orientation.
Thom
@Clementine:
You’re post makes absolutely zero sense. The worst part about it is your incredible arrogance. Being attracted to men does not equal anal sex.
I forget the study but it showed that almost half of straight men have anal sex and about 80% of gay men will have anal in their lifetimes. You’re the one who has a problem with growing up. Stay the hell out of people’s personal business with what they choose to do with a consenting adult partner.
P.S. you can shove your wild theories about homosexuality up your toxic waste cavity. Apathetic, privileged troll
Thom
@TimBo:
@Navi:
thanks for the advice. I think it’ll be even a bigger relief to finally have someone to talk to about this guy I have a crush on than it will be to tell them I’m gay.
Camys
@Thom: Dear Thom, it´s always a good thing to tell somebody. I think rather than telling my friends about being gay, it was really relieving and liberating talking to them about girls I had a crush on, or asking for advice when me and my girlfriend started going out. They´re things youngsters usually do – going to their friends for relationship advice or gossipy conversations – and being afraid to do these things kids usually do is what makes us feel so weird, lonely and disconnected from society. We ARE normal, it´s okay for us to feel this way, so it´s nice to be heard.
Most of my female friends are straight, but they are wonderful and they let me talk abou my crushes and all. They even agree with me sometimes, but I believe it´s easier for a girl to say another girl is cute, than it is for a boy to acknowledgde another guy looks good. Still, there will be friends who will support you and like you for who you are, and that´s the most important thing.
Dan Cobb
Get over it, m’man. There have always been gay people on this earth. It’s all about the evolutionary biology! There’s nothing sweeter than anal intercourse with another guy. You’d be amazed at how clean that type of intercourse really is!
Gay people have been on this planet forever –it was a social advantage to have gay uncles/sibling/children because as adults they could produce more in the way of food than they consumed. This excess was given to the children of the reproducing straight brothers and sisters of the gay men and women. All of which helped to assure the survival of their nephews and nieces. It’s all about evolutionary biology.
Dan Cobb
My message at No. 11 is @ Clementine
nIKKO
I don’t need to come out!! I was caught and it was a disaster!!
Abirdwillingtobeitself
“Being gay will be one of the best parts of yourself, because it is about who you love”
I like this a lot.