Sam

Sam, age 8

Laramie, WY (1963)

Here I am in my Cha Cha costume with my partner at a talent show. We won 1st Place! And this pose has seemed to follow me throughout my life in photos!

My mother started me in dance lessons, and I was the only boy in the class. I never thought anything about it, and I got along with all of the girls fabulously.

I knew around age 7 that I was different, and liked boys. Seeing them in the locker room after Phys Ed class confirmed it.

I enjoyed being in the swimming pool locker rooms, and watching all of the older boys and men change in and out of their swimsuits.



This photo still reminds me of how I was always posing crazy, wearing costumes, or dressing up for photos. I loved twirling around the living room in a long, ruffled hot-pink gown my mom had for dress up!

I enjoyed the "Mickey Mouse Club" on TV, and was attracted to muscle-bound, good looking boys and men of that era, like gladiators, Hercules, and Tarzan.

Later on in high school, I enjoyed the cute boys on "The Brady Bunch," "Flipper," "Batman," and "Leave It To Beaver."

To the young kids of today who are realizing they are 'different' or gay:
I say embrace it, and love yourself.

I was bullied in school since I wasn't a jock or didn't play sports. However, things turned out fine, and I'm living life as a happy gay adult. Actually, I think it's easier today to be a young gay person, as society is more aware and educated about what it is to be gay.

And as RuPaul puts it:
"If you can't love yourself, then how the hell you gonna love somebody else?
Can I get an AMEN?!"

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

George Reeves (as TV's "Superman")
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Sam

Sam, age 10

Queensland, Australia (1981)

At this age, I had no idea what a lesbian was. Nobody said 'that's so gay' back in those days! I did, however, have a series of crushes on my 'best friends' and was in the habit of convincing the other girls at school to practice kissing with me.

I remember going to one school friend's party where we all hid under the house to play spin-the-bottle.

I tried kissing some of the boys, but it wasn't nearly as much fun as kissing one of the girls.

So my 'best friend' and I found our own corner to kiss in. Nobody else seemed to notice or care!

In those days, I loved Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Joan Jett - girls who didn't play by the rules.

Many years later, I went to the movies to see a movie called "Go Fish" - and I had no idea it was about lesbians.

When I walked out of the movie I said to my friend:
'I'm one of those girls - I'm a lesbian!'

It was a defining moment for me, the first time I realized it was OK to be attracted to other girls!
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