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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Tracy

Tracy, age 7

Yellowstone, Wyoming (1973)

Here I am at age 7, just out of 1st grade, on a family trip. I was with my parents and two younger sisters. We lived in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, and spent almost 3 weeks on the road. I was a tomboy from the beginning, and I remember how exciting it was to get this cowboy hat and run around playing cowboys and Indians (and no, we weren't very PC-aware back then...) When I look at this photo now, it makes me laugh - I was so butch and self-confident!

My parents were always very cool and didn't force me to wear girly clothes. And my Mom gave up on dresses before I even hit kindergarten. My middle sister is only one year younger than me, and we often chose to dress alike. Funny, she is a lesbian, too! Our youngest sister, who is straight, is the odd-girl-out.

Boys did not interest me in the least, and I had my first serious crush on a girl in 2nd grade, and I never looked back.

For young gay and lesbian kids who might be reading this -- hang in there and believe in yourself. I am 45 now, and the changes I have seen so far in my lifetime are incredible. When I was your age, I never would have imagined I could be married to a woman, but I now live in New Hampshire and I am.

By the time you are my age, it will be an even more different world.
You have lots of love and happiness ahead of you!

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

Julie Andrews, Helen Reddy, & Karen Carpenter
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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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Dustin

Dustin, age 8

Wyoming (1982)

This photo was taken somewhere in the wild back country of Wyoming on the annual fall hunting trip with the family. I can't believe I used to go hunting - definitely not something I'd do today.

I used to love putting on that great orange gear. The best part was the shopping trip prior to the hunt, where I could pick out anything as long as it was orange.

We shot all sorts of guns - mostly at Coke cans. I only remember once when a deer was actually killed.

I just can't believe that when this photo was taken, that my family didn't know I was gay.

Look at the pose! The hips, the knees, the hand gesture and yes, the gun.

How could they be so shocked when I came out?!

I always knew I was gay, and I never had a problem with it.
I just knew one day I'd be a grown-up and fabulous. And I was RIGHT!