Joshua

Joshua, age 7

Bradenton, Florida (1987)

I was a child who was very much in my own world. Spending most of my time drawing mermaids and princesses, I had a hard time focusing at school. I got made fun of a lot for being a girl because most of my recesses were spent playing house, trying to cartwheel, or wishing I was brave enough climb and sit on top of the monkey bars. I coped by retreating into my head, which I was very happy in, but resulted in a lot of strange outward behavior. I guess I was an odd kid.

"Easter Sunday portraits were always a good opportunity to
dress up, eat peeps, go to church - and VOGUE!"

This photo was taken on Easter Sunday before my family went to church.
I remember my mom bought us all new outfits for the occasion and needless to say - I felt very chic. I remember wanting this picture to count - so I told my sister Bethany (the one closest to me) how to pose, and then I struck one myself. I don't think my parents had any idea what I was doing. They're still relatively unfazed by this picture, and I think they're just "used to me."

I didn't fully come out until I was in my mid 20's. I was brought up in a very conservative Christian home and it took a long time for me to fully separate myself from that. I don't remember not "feeling different" though. I was obviously a very flamboyant child and I never really fit in anywhere.

I am incredibly proud of this picture. Even though I was a little late to "come out" I was always pretty fearless about expressing myself and my interests.

Joshua's first, famous-person same sex crushes:

"Marky Mark" Wahlberg, Joel West, & Marcus Schenkenberg.

Obviously, I liked the 90's male models.
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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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Alfred

Alfred, age 6
Cocoa Beach, Florida (1966)

"I am six here, going on seven dear"

I remember this outfit being a gray suede.

You can't see it here, but I had knee-socks on as well. And I'm sitting on one leg with the other dangling.

I think the limp wrist speaks for itself - don't you?

And my first celebrity crush? The first was Adam West in his Batman days.

But the hottest was Ron Ely as Tarzan. And that loin cloth drove me insane!! LOL!

It was right around Batman time that I realized I was different.

I was the only boy that wanted to be Catwoman. And certainly the only boy in the neighborhood that did a decent Eartha Kitt impression ...

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

Adam West ("Batman") 
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