CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
At 15 years old I've already had a surreal experience when it comes to being gay. I was born into a family of eight. My parents divorced when I was 9, and my mother began living with her long-lost childhood sweetheart--a woman. I enjoyed having them as parents, but my father was furious. After years of legal battles the court gave my mothers exclusive custody of me.
Torn between my father's expectations and my own, I began to reflect on who I was.
I noticed an enduring curiosity for the same sex, and I began exploring it through the Internet. I was conflicted at first, but I finally decided, as a compromise of sorts, that I was bisexual. I kept silent until one spring afternoon in 2003 when I came out to my mothers. They didn't even bat an eye. In fact, my mom said she knew all along. I felt relieved, if not disappointed that my revelation wasn't a big deal.
I came out to my friends at Bernard Middle School not long after. At first it was horrible, with students treating me like some circus freak. But eventually things settled down. I started going to a gay teen support group headed by St. Louis University called Growing American Youth. There I met "Jim," whom I later started dating. He and a few other new friends introduced me to gay teen culture. I had lots of sex and partied late at night.
Before long I had broken up with Jim and decided to stay out of the dating scene to reflect on all the crazy things I'd done. In the fall of 2004, I met "Mike" online. We met at the local Starbucks a few times and decided that there was something between us. But it ended abruptly when he came out to his bigoted parents, who broke off our relationship.
Since then I have come to terms with my own identity as a gay teen. I am currently dating "Tim," whom I met through a good friend, and we've been happily together over 10 months now. I am writing a dramatized account of my life (as if it needed any more drama) and have set up a gay-straight alliance at my high school. And I'm only just getting started.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
After decades of silent protest, advocates and students speak out for LGBTQ+ rights
April 13 2024 10:52 AM
11 celebs who love their LGBTQ+ siblings
April 13 2024 10:33 AM
The 10 most challenged books of last year
April 13 2024 10:06 AM
Mary & George's Julianne Moore on Mary's sexual fluidity and queer relationship
April 13 2024 10:00 AM
Investigation launched after man screams homophobic slurs at queer couples on D.C. metro
April 13 2024 9:59 AM
Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents
April 12 2024 6:06 PM
A youth's call to action on this Day of NO Silence
April 12 2024 5:00 PM
Democrats introduce resolution in support of LGBTQ+ youth
April 12 2024 4:35 PM
Colton Underwood is hoping to create a gay reality TV dating show
April 12 2024 4:28 PM
Idaho closes legislative session with a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedElevating pet care with TrueBlue’s all-natural ingredients
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Watch Jimmy Kimmel's hilarious LGBTQ+ campaign video: 'You can't spell Biden without Bi'
April 12 2024 12:00 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedCreating erotic art and advocacy with adult entertainer Cody Silver (EXCLUSIVE)
April 12 2024 11:39 AM
How I navigated through religious trauma
April 12 2024 11:00 AM