Grant

Grant, age 4

Bay Area, California (1969)

In 1968, I was "The Flying Nun" for Halloween, as I was obsessed with her TV show. Everyone had a big laugh over the boy in a dress! But being so young,
I really didn't understand what all the fuss was about.

I kept wearing my magical dress for playtime, all the way through here, in the summer of '69. I started to sense that I was different from anyone I knew.

By the time I was 12, it dawned on me that I was gay. And I felt that if anyone found out about my attraction to boys, I would be utterly destroyed. I desperately did whatever it took to seem straight, like dating girls and playing football, etc.

By the time I was 25, I was like a dam with a thousand cracks in it, and I finally came out to my friends and family. They were all totally supportive, but it was tough for my parents at first. 

They came around though, and my dad ended up happily walking me down the aisle when I got married to my man, 4 years ago.

Today, I couldn't be happier with my amazing husband (we've been together for 7 years), our 2 dogs, and my job as an illustrator in New York.

If you feel alienated, or having trouble accepting who you are - hang in there! There is no "normal," and what you're trying to hide or suppress now, will soon become one of your greatest gifts. And a source of strength.

Just like that little boy in the nun dress, be true to yourself.
And you will learn to fly, too!

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

Glen Campbell (singer)
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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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Grant

Grant, age 6

Missoula, MT (1996)

"I was born a Little Monster!"

I always liked putting on my mom's square dancing dresses; spinning around and making them twirl. I'd wear her necklaces and clip-on earrings and dance around for hours.

In this photo I had my 'purse' (which is actually a small cooler), and I think I was pretending to be Snow White or some other princess.

I can't remember why I had my hand behind my head, but I was always one for the dramatics.

When I show my friends this photo now, they tell me I was born a Lady Gaga fan because, of my monster paw. 

I knew I was different from a very young age, and knew I was gay from age 10.

But it took me 8 years to accept it. My mom was a single parent, and since I didn't really have many friends, she became my best friend.

She has always supported me in everything I do, from building a Baby Spice robot for a 3rd grade project to loving me for exactly who I am.

My mom is my biggest fan, and I couldn't ask for anyone better.

Grant's first, famous-person same sex crush:
Freddie Prinze Jr.