Anthony

Anthony, age 1

Panama City, Florida (1994)

During my teenage years, I wasn't popular. I didn't have a supportive family and I didn't have many friends. And growing up with the hidden identity of being an LGBT kid was rough, especially once I tried to start dating.

As I was rejected by everyone around me, I quickly got attached to guys who showed me any kind of attention. Yet I felt alone in the world, as if no one understood what it was I was going through.

After a little bit of growing up, I finally met a guy who was different.

He was so sweet, caring, and genuine.

I didn't know what to expect, especially being so used to heartbreak and pain. 

But he changed that within me. He taught me how to love and be loved.

He showed me what it was like to be free in my body. And then he PROPOSED! 

We have been happily married 3 years now.

My advice for any other LGBT kids who were/are in my kind of situation, I just need you to know things will get better! Life can be very tough and strange, but there's happiness waiting for you.

Keep your beautiful heads up, hang on to your strength and show the world who and what you are: FREE! 

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Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Click here - "My First Gay Crush Blog"

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Anthony

Anthony, age 4
Tiline, KY (1991)

How my mother never caught on is beyond me. Growing up, I never did what the other boys were doing. Playing with Barbies, watching The Little Mermaid religiously, and dressing up the cat in Mom's clothing is how I spent my Saturdays as a kid.

"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille!"

Around this age or maybe a year younger, is when I realized that something was different about me. The freshest memory or instance of this, is when I was looking through my Dad's muscle magazines.

Looking at the muscles and the masculinity, I found it appealing and couldn't help but feel shy and giddy, like a little school girl.

Looking at this picture now, it puts a smile on my face - just as big as the one I have on in the picture itself. I was a happy little boy, rocking the straw hat and bowling ball breasts, making my Mother smile.

And I wouldn't trade that for anything less or more.

Anthony's first, famous-person same sex crush:

Kurt Russell