Bill, age 7
Bakersfield, CA (1987)
I got this Rainbow Brite doll on my birthday, from my neighbor Shannon, who was also my baby sitter. I saw this picture flipping threw the family album and was like BINGO! - how much more of a hint did they need! LOL!
I didn't really I know I was gay back then, but probably did by around 7th grade. My childhood was as normal as it could be for a wonderful while collar family. Vacations all the time, getting what we wanted and - oooooooh! - mom always made me BAKE cakes! Uh, Helllllllooooooo!
I got teased in Jr. High and High School, and I wasn't even out until my senior year. But only to my family and some limited friends. They'd call me Gay Bill, and even worse - my poor younger brother got called Gay Bill's Brother. But I never got beat up for it.
I am now in a relationship with my wonderful partner of 4 years and life couldn't be any more wonderful!
SO - IT DOES GET BETTER, KIDS!
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9 comments:
I had that same doll when I was a kid!
Wow, this is an outstanding blog. What a wonderful idea. When I think about the stories of my friends and the garbage they had to endure growing up in order to just say who they were it makes me sad for how incredibly cruel and stupid people really can be. I wish this had been around a long time ago. Well done.
Congratulations on being a Blog of Note! It's important to be proud of who you are, as long as you are a good person. That's what really matters.
When I was five years old, my best friend was a four year old girl who lived a couple doors down. We took turns playing either cops and robbers or dolls. As a result, I asked for a Strawberry Shortcake doll for my sixth birthday, which my parents (ie, Santa) gave me.
Fact is, I'm not gay, and never was. The doll didn't stick. But looking back, I'm glad they gave me the doll. Really glad. As I grew up and some of my friends did start coming out, I think it was somewhat the difference between me thinking "hmm, is that right?" and "good for you!"
I never enjoyed having that doll so much. I'm glad you did, though. Good for you, my friend. :)
hey im from bakersfield too and im a dude that use to play with Rainbow Brite toys haha!! way funny. i was actually just thinking about that while looking through these pictures and then came across this one.
I'll never forget the night you showed up at my house and told me you were gay. My ONLY thought was, awww he trusts me enough to tell me!!! I was so happy for you cause it seems like a heavy thing thing to carry around and hide. I think it was after that period that you came out of your shell and became the real you, and I couldn't be happier for you :)
We love you!!
Julie
I remember that too Julie. Love you and so happy we are still friends even though we are 3K miles away now. Miss you soooooo much. Thanks for being there for me that night. I love you!
Bill, I know coming out wasn't easy for you but look at how happy you are now, and stronger for all you went through in high school. You are a great person and friend. And when stupid people, teasingly, call you gay bill I know you have the confidence know to stand up to them :)
Love you too Symmer. Hope to see you in a few months! We are gonna rock the Florida Keys again!
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