Steve

Steve, age 13

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1969)

This occasion was the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Nanny and Poppy, my grandfolks who still spoke with the Yiddish accent of their home in Russia (although they were now true Country-Club Jews). 

All of us grandkids had a song or poem prepared to perform. For my slot, I had written new lyrics to "On the Street Where You Live" complete with multiple three-syllable rhymes to put Alan Jay Lerner's original words to shame. 

Listen, Alan Jay Lerner never bothered to rhyme Caribbean with Amphibian, but I did that night!

I really sang my heart out into the mic. And boy, did I have dramatic hand gestures! I had vocal flourishes to make those high notes soar, and I had all the tricks the pros use to sell a song. 

So I finished Part one (three verses and a chorus) to rousing applause. Part two (three verses and a chorus) covered Nanny and Poppy's kids and grandkids. (Less applause). Part three (yet another three verses and chorus) covered their retirement years. (Begrudging claps). 

And there was still a Part four to go! I know there's a lesson somewhere in there worth learning about brevity -- something something something... 

So what happened to my 13-year-old's dreams of Broadway glory? Well I actually did make it onto the credits of a good number of Broadway Playbills about 15 years later.

But alas, not as the brilliant lyricist I harbored inside me, but rather as an Assistant Set Designer to some of Broadway's greatest designers. 

And that's showbiz!

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Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
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Marc

Marc, age 8

Scotch Plains, New Jersey (1967)

Just as I am now, I was a ham as a kid. Just look at me posing here with my mother! But it wasn't until the summer before 7th grade, when I discovered the local children's musical theatre summer program that I truly blossomed.

The earliest memory I have of understanding I liked boys was staring at the cover of the Meet The Beatles album, and walking to the bus stop with my sister, knowing I also thought Paul was the cute one.

I don't really recall my first same-sex crush. Well, maybe it was at summer camp, with some of the older boys or even a camp counselor or two! And a few local friends. And more than a couple of cute jocks at school. And then some fellas in community theatre. And....oh, and...well, I guess I had a lot of crushes!

I DO distinctly remember seeing Dick Gautier on the TV show "Get Smart."
He played a Rock Hudson-esque robot with perfect features and dark movie star hair, and something about him made me feel all gooey inside!

My only distinct memory about any bullying is that a friend of my sister wrote FAG on a piece of sheet music in my room. And that my father covered it up by taping a similar colored piece of paper over it with my name, to cover up the hateful word. And I remember feeling worse for my father than for myself about it.

I was always out to everyone but my parents, and I'm embarrassed by how long I kept up the facade of the "roommate bed" in the living room, for when my parents visited. And much to my mother's credit, she finally asked me if Scott and I were "more than roommates." I was in my late 20's I believe. Crazy!

I mean, I certainly gave them clues throughout my childhood though. 

I devoured 16 Magazine more than my sisters, and really enjoyed watching TV shows like "I Love Lucy" to "Bewitched" and "I Dream Of Jeannie" much more than "The Honeymooners" or "Bonanza." And when I discovered Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand as a teenager, I truly received my gay card.

Since then I have had a very interesting life (Google me!) and met my first partner, Scott Wittman, almost 50 years ago! Although we never had children, we share a songwriting career that has given birth to many proud accomplishments.

To gay kids today grappling with acceptance, I offer that old cliché -- "Be Yourself"
And just get through those difficult Jr. High and High School years.

Because after that, you will be embraced for the very differences that some unenlightened people may tease or bully you about now. I have never had a day in my life where I didn't feel it was a blessing being born gay.

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

Theodore

Theodore (Tedd), age 6
San Diego, California (1954)

I always felt like an only child. Even with three older brothers, I never bonded with any of them. They didn’t want to be seen with me, so I stayed home with my mom. 

I was bullied and teased growing up, mostly by one of my brothers. Sadly, he was the one I admired the most. 

I knew I was different the first day of kindergarten at age 5. The teacher was taking attendance, and she called “Theodore.” 

And I just sat there until she called “Teddy” to which I answered: 'Here.' 

Then she said, “Well, don’t you even know your own name?” And the entire class broke out laughing when I said: 'No.' 

That was by far the most embarrassing day ever.

That set the tone for the majority of my life. 

And it took years to rebuild confidence in who I am and always was.

Growing up mostly in the San Diego area, I had it fairly easy as a closeted gay person. And thankfully, religion was not a part of my upbringing.

My first same-gender attraction was also at age 5. I found myself strangely attracted to our neighbor daughter’s boyfriend, a sailor! As a teen, my first celebrity crush was actor Glenn Corbett, from the early 1960’s TV show, "Route 66."

However, it was Audrey Hepburn I was in awe of. She was the most elegant woman that ever lived. I also watched a lot of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly musicals as I grew up. So, I guess you could say that was somewhat of an obsession.

I would also turn to music as the refuge from the pressures of being different and not fitting in at school. I sat alone in my bedroom getting lost in whatever type of music I had access to, and often singing and dancing. Today, I still listen to music as a go-to, good feeling place when I feel down. And I'm still singing and dancing.

The rest of my teenage years would have been the loneliest time of my life if it weren’t for my best friend, Bill. He was straight, and I didn’t come out to him until I was 68 years old! His reaction was: "And I’m straight. So what?"

At age 21, I married my high school sweetheart, and I came out to my mom at age 26. End of marriage! My mom’s reaction: “We always knew you were different.”  The rest of the family was accepting; however, I distanced myself from them to protect them from being harassed for having a gay family member.

And my biggest regret? Not having children while I was still married.

I graduated college and became a residential architect. I went into business with my first male partner, also an architect, and we were together 24/7. I really wanted to be a fashion designer or professional dancer, but thought it was too gay to do that. But I’ve started designing and making outfits, just for fun.

So my adult relationships lasted 17 years, then 13 years, then a different 13 years (and each sure have their own stories). I retired at age 67, and in my post retirement career - I became a porn star at age 70!

Now at age 74, what gives me the most pride is being a role model and mentor for younger gay men. I have several friends in their 30’s that use me as a sounding board for issues they are faced with in their lives.   

And in closing, my message to LGBTQ+ kids today is this: 

Be who you are and don’t give up on your dreams. And know that the person you need to count on the most, is the one you see in the mirror every morning. 

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

Hartson

Hartson, age 10

Paducah, Kentucky (1976)

I think this photo of me just about sums it ALL up!!! ;)

I always liked being an entertainer, and in 1976 I also learned to play the flute. 

Later during Middle & High school years while in the marching band and playing in parades, my "friends" would yell out, "Play that skin flute!" 

Something tells me they knew I did. And very well!

Growing up in a mid-sized city had its drawbacks, but I think it made me into a great person. 

Now at age 49, I look back and remember all the fun stuff, not the crappy stuff. 

So that's my advice to LGBTQ kids reading my story today: 

Just enjoy life!!!

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Tim

Tim, age 5
Vancouver, BC, Canada (1995)

Here I am with my late grandmother at my kindergarten graduation. She was one of my biggest supporters for my musical accomplishments. I knew from a young age that I was different, but wasn't able to understand what that meant.

I was raised in a literalist, fundamentalist, Christian family that has never accepted an "alternative lifestyle" outside of Christianity.

So you can only imagine what growing up in a family that refers to homosexuals as ‘fags’ or ‘poofters’ was like.

I always wanted to be close with a guy, to feel a special bond between the two of us. 

I guess you could also say I'm not society’s portrayal of the stereotypical masculine man. 

I do not like movies with huge explosions, aliens, and guns. I like musicals, chick flicks, rom-coms, and movies that actually have a storyline.

I listen to Elton John, Barbra Streisand, and Whitney Houston almost daily.
I remember going through a huge Celine Dion phase in middle school and singing "The Power of Love" at the top of my lungs at home. My family did not like the fact that I would sing "...And you are my man!" with such conviction.

At age 19 I came out to my friends and co-workers who were very supportive. But when my family found out about my “sinful lifestyle" in 2013, it was off to Bible school for me and borderline reparative therapy. I have had deliverance performed on me, been sent to Exodus International, told to act more manly, and that if I just think I'm straight that I will be straight. 

Of course, none of that worked. My parents also demanded that I break up with my boyfriend so they could send me to more reparative, conversion therapy. 

After a month of refusing, I was thrown out of the house.

I was blamed for "bringing demons into the house," and my family said they would never come visit me at my new place because they “cannot walk on unholy ground.” That was two years ago and I have not seen my family since. 

The good news is I am still with my boyfriend and we’ve been together for three years. We could not be happier together and will be traveling to Europe soon.
I plan to marry my boyfriend one day and start a family with him. 

I have not seen my family since they threw me out, nor do I think I will be seeing them any time soon. People tell me to not lose hope, but I have to face the reality of a future without them. My friends have become my family and I have never felt so loved and accepted in my entire life. 

While my situation is not ideal, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.

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Noah

Noah, age 5
West Milton, Ohio (1999)

When I look back now, I think, “Well, no duh - I’m gay!” I can recall buying my first Green Day CD, with a recurring fantasy where singer Billie Joel Armstrong and I run away together. I was young so I never had a sexual attraction to him. But for some reason the fantasy made me feel safe.

When I played with my Lego people I only had one girl, so many of those toy pairings were gay.

But I never really realized exactly what I was doing.

My best friend since I was age 1 turned out to be homophobic, and I repeatedly defended the gay community when he claimed that all gay people were going to hell.

Yet I could never bring myself to identify as gay myself. I knew it was there, but I just did not recognize it.

I can recall my parents finding gay porn on the computer two times and having a conversation with a boy on MySpace when I was 12. But when I came out four years later, they seemed surprised.

My first boyfriend was one of my best friends and we are still close today. I have taken guys to every school dance since I came out, and fortunately I've survived high school without too much bullying.

It certainly was not easy sailing, though, and I had many nights where I cried, ready to swallow a handful of pills and end it all. I'm sure glad I didn't!

And today, I am thankful that I am gay.

Being out has even brought my dad and me closer. I'll talk to him about boys while we work on his car together. It is completely ironic, but it's home.

PS: 12 years after my photo was taken, I made out with a boy in that same van. :)
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Karl

Karl, age 3
Arlington, Texas (1964)

In this family photo, I was consciously trying to be cute and coy for the cameraman. At that age I just wanted to be around other males, as all the neighborhood kids and my young cousins were girls. And my father was the physically-present but emotionally-absent type.

At school I figured out that I was more interested in music than most other boys. I wasn't good at sports, so I thought my feelings toward guys were just hero worship.

As a teen I became more aware of my attraction to men, but I just didn't know what to call it.

In 1977, I got my first job as a puppeteer at Six Flags Over Texas. That is where I learned what "gay" meant - while learning the lyrics to "A Chorus Line," "Annie," and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Now I knew what to call what I'd been feeling, although I was terrified by what my church thought of it.

And then Baptist Panic set in: my Youth Minister assisted me in writing a letter declining to return to performing the next season. I was – and still am – a very good puppeteer; I think I could have gone far if I had just kept with it. Still, my attractions would not disappear.

Fighting my urges, I put myself through pastoral counseling to attempt to become straight. I soon attended college with the goal of becoming a Baptist music minister. And neither of those things happened for me.

After three years of counseling I accepted myself, I came out, and I immediately thought, "What am I going to do with this degree?" - and a job that has nothing to do with music.

But I'm now a volunteer performer with the local gay band and an orchestra, and I sign interpret the songs at the largest primarily gay church in the world.

Through my interest in music I met my wonderful spouse of 13 years, who sings opera part-time. One sister is very accepting of me and my partner, the other isn't – but that’s OK.

If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be to not care what others thought and to go ahead and to be himself.
_____________________________________________________

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

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Ray

Ray, age 6
St. Louis, Missouri (1980)

By the time of this photo, I already knew I was not the same as the other boys.
As you can see, I have on my Superman suspenders. Though I didn't really understand it then, I was attracted to Superman. I also wanted to be around construction workers, because I found them attractive, too.

Other kids used to call me "Gay Ray." I was not particularly feminine as a child, but the other kids still knew there was something very different about me. This was because of the things I would say, and not being shy about the fact that I enjoyed lots of things typically reserved for girls.

My twin sister used to love to dress me up in her clothes, and we'd run around the neighborhood together. She would introduce me as her "cousin Becky."

While my mother was always very encouraging of me expressing myself, my father was not pleased.

I had a rough childhood. I cried almost every day and was so confused about what was going on with me. This only contributed to the way that I was treated by the other kids and some family members. I used to pray every night, hoping that God would "fix" me. But every morning I woke up the same.

It wasn't until I got into high school that I started making friends with the other outcast kids and punkers. Though life got harder for me in many ways, it always got easier for me to accept myself and to become comfortable with who I am.

Today, I'm still not like the other boys. I'm an artist and musician.
And maybe one day I'll open a little place that I can proudly call "Gay Ray's"
as an homage to my troubled path.
____________________________________________________

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Martin

Martin, age 4

Orlando, Florida (1980)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I think this picture is worth one word: queer. To be completely honest, I don't remember the moment this photo was taken while we were visiting Disneyworld. I do however, remember quite clearly, that as a child I was intrigued by all things glamorous.

Through the innocent eyes of a little Latino gay boy, what's more glamorous than a 6 ft 3 mouse-woman - in a red and white polka dot dress, with super luscious eyelashes, giant yellow pumps, and puffy white gloves? The answer is nothing.

Nothing is more fabulous than Minnie Mouse and her trademark blue
eye-shadow. NOTHING!

The 4-year old Martin, almost instinctively, already knew this to be true. And I think it can be safely said that Minnie Mouse was my first drag queen sighting.

When I look at this picture, I imagine time traveling back to the year 1980. Then I picture grown-up Martin standing in front of tiny Martin, and hugging him and telling him that everything will be okay. And my heart breaks for the difficulty that awaits this sensitive and creative kid.

What I see here is a little boy who is trying to figure out how a fabulous glove was stitched so perfectly. And when I look at this photo, I also wonder how my father could have been disappointed? This is a child with imagination!

He wants to make music and wonderful things and draw lovely pictures.
And so what if he punches like a girl? This boy deserves love.

If I were to show you the uncropped image, you'd also see my mother and my sister. But to me, this moment is not about my family. This moment is about Martin and Minnie. Two souls that understand each other.

This moment is about a gay boy's bliss. He is still unaware of ridicule and discrimination. He is still innocent. He is in love with the construction of a fabulous costume. He seems to know the power of artifice.

And he isn't ashamed quite yet.

Martin's first, famous-person same sex crush:
He-Man, The Most Powerful Man in the Universe
________________________________________________

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Parker

Parker, age 5

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1994)

Nothing was more exhilarating than whirling and twirling in my mother's dresses. Here, I am wearing my favorite of hers. It was lightweight, covered in beautiful roses, and just sheer enough to feed my need to walk on the wild side.

How my mother was surprised when my infatuation with boys came out in the open, I haven't the slightest idea.

I think a lot of people that have struggled with being different wish their family would have walked them through the awkward glances, and the general lack of comfort that comes with growing up that way.

Even so, I could never blame my family for being just as confused as I was, at the time.

I remember feeling a little fancier than other boys my age.

My concerns, were different from their concerns:


Why would my cousin let her dolls have such ratty hair?
If I couldn't have a purse, where was I supposed to put my things?
Why didn't the Pink and the Red Power Rangers ever get together?

I mean, they were both hot. It made sense.

My VHS copy of "The Wizard of Oz" played a key role in my youth. The concept of some small town, decently pretty kid, being swept off to a far away land - only to be truly wanted, occasionally envied, befriended by eccentrics, and come home at the end of the day having learned all of life's lessons - was the most perfect scenario I'd ever heard of.

Pop culture was my first addiction, though. Late at night, in music videos, I'd catch glimpses of myself in people who seemed unimaginably confident and beautiful. That's all I've ever wanted to be.

Since those days of twirling and brushing doll hair, I've found my beauty and comfort in creativity. I'm a stylist at the most rock 'n roll hair salon in Oklahoma. I'm also a musician, I'm an artist, I'm still fancy, and I'm still learning.

I'm learning that it does get better. Exceptionally better.

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

Fred Savage (in "The Wonder Years")

_____________________________________________________

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Click here - "My First Gay Crush Blog"

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Glen

Glen, age 11

El Paso, TX (1981)

I remember as a kid that I was different from other boys. But I did not know what the word "gay" meant. Once I turned 13, I understood why I felt the way I did, as far back as age 5. It was a challenging time to come out, and the news of a "gay disease" was at its peak.

My parents would not understand at all, stating:
"They should take all the gays and people who are infected with HIV and drop them on a secluded island."

That was devastating to me.

I left home at a young age, joined the military, got married, and had kids. But it didn't work; I knew I was different.

I "came out" at 26 to a still very non-supporting family. My parents did not stand by me and disowned me.

I realized that if they didn't accept me, I had to be happy and be myself. And I'm okay with that, because I found myself. I love expressing myself through music, and know that I was born this way.

Thanks for creating such a wonderful blog.
I hope it inspires many to be true to themselves.

* Lady Gaga *

Today, Lady Gaga releases her highly-anticipated new single,
"Born This Way"

I've listened to it a few times, and I am in love with it! And no other pop star - with the massive platform and ear of the world like Gaga has - has put pen to paper to celebrate diversity and acceptance in such a blatant and daring way.

And I do believe, this will be another #1 single for Gaga - and the first pop song in history with the words GAY, STRAIGHT, BI, LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED in its lyrics. And think of the millions of people - and kids - hearing that!

** Update 2/17/11 **
"Born This Way" went #1 in 23 countries,
debuted at #1 on the US Billboard Pop Chart,
became Billboard's 1000th #1 Single, and broke the record
(previously held by Britney Spears),
for first-week digital sales for a female artist,
tallying 448,000 downloads in just 5 days!

You just gotta say WOW!

Here's the "Country Road" version as a slideshow with pix from the blog :)


The "Born This Way" Blog is in 100% solidarity
with Lady Gaga's powerful message!

LADY GAGA, "BORN THIS WAY"

It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M

Just put your paws up

’Cause you were Born This Way, Baby

VERSE:

MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG

WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS

SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON

IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR

“THERE’S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE”

SHE SAID, “‘CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE”

“SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU’LL GO FAR,

LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY”

CHORUS:

I’M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY

‘CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET

JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU’RE SET

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS:

OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY

BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY

BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY

OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY

BABY I WAS BORN-

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T BE A DRAG - JUST BE A QUEEN

DON’T BE A DRAG - JUST BE A QUEEN

DON’T BE A DRAG - JUST BE A QUEEN

DON’T BE!

VERSE:

GIVE YOURSELF PRUDENCE

AND LOVE YOUR FRIENDS

SUBWAY KID, REJOICE YOUR TRUTH

IN THE RELIGION OF THE INSECURE

I MUST BE MYSELF, RESPECT MY YOUTH

A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN

BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY)

I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND

MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:

DON’T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN

WHETHER YOU’RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN

YOU’RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT

YOU’RE LEBANESE, YOU’RE ORIENT

WHETHER LIFE’S DISABILITIES

LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED

REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY

‘CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,

LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE

NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE

CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO/REFRAIN:

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

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Joshua

Joshua, age 6

Greenville, SC (1987)

This photo was taken at my first violin recital, where I played "Hot Cross Buns".
I remember my parents calling my violin teacher my "coach" (who's pictured), probably so I felt like I had something in common with the other boys in school!

Around the time of this pic, my Dad and I were at a Braves game in Atlanta. We went to the restroom, and instead of peeing,
I ran up to every urinal in use, pointing at the penis of the person using the urinal while yelling, 'Look Dad, a penis!'

My Dad laughed and rolled his eyes, as this was pretty common for me.

Lucky for me, I have outstanding parents and was never really in the closet. Whether it was putting on my mom's favorite yellow dress (and dancing to Linda Ronstadt's Spanish language album).


Or the time for my senior class career day presentation, when I said that my chosen career was 'escort' - my family always had my back!

I was, however, bullied pretty badly in school, especially in junior high.

Anyone can make it out, though. Today I hold down a successful PR job in NYC, live in a recording studio, and I'm in a couple of awesome bands.

Joshua's first, famous-person same sex crush:
The Count (on "Sesame Street")
I still get butterflies!
But next in line would be Eddie Murphy and Michael Hutchence of INXS.
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Bailey

Bailey, age 10

Carlsbad, California (1997)

This photo was shot at a dance recital. I was inspired by Fred Astaire and my grandmother to start dancing. I used to LOVE wearing costumes, putting on makeup, and wearing my grandmother's heels and stockings. It was an innocent moment for me, because I wasn't aware that people were judging me. I just knew what I liked and I was proud to express that.

"One! Singular sensation, every little step you take"

I think I first felt "different" at 6, when I first started dancing. It opened me up to a whole world of expression and gave me the freedom to be myself.

I'd watch old musicals, inspired by the fashion my favorite characters wore, and I'd try to emulate their style.

I loved musicals like Chicago, Barkleys Of Broadway, Gypsy, Singing In The Rain, Fosse, Cabaret, All That Jazz, Anything Goes, Grease (1 and 2), Hairspray, Puttin On The Ritz, & Rocky Horror Picture Show.

One example of very eccentric clothing I'd wear to school was an outfit that was a cross between Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in Grease:

Red velvet shoes or black leather disco boots, velvet bell-bottoms, tight-fitting white shirt, and black leather jacket.

I'd get teased and made fun of in school and kids never really understood why I dressed that way. It was a moment I realized I would just continue to pour my heart and energy all into my dancing and artwork. That helped me focus on being who I wanted to be.

Later in the early 2K's, I loved music like Spice Girls, Britney Spears, No Doubt, The Cranberries, The Pixies etc. I remember standing in line for the Spice Girls dolls when they came out - I had to have all of them!

Seeing this pic now reminds me of who I am and who I will always be. To this day, I like the color red and I'm completely enthralled with clothing and costumes. I work as a fashion stylist, and my passion and taste for those things has really never changed. It's great to see that I was truly born this way!

My family was always really supportive of me being a dancer. I was raised by my grandparents and my Grandmother was just as enthralled by dancing and the fashion. She'd spend hours at the dance studio watching me dance, and would give up her whole life to see me happy. I owe a lot to her and her support.

I would like to say to the youth to keep on doing what you want to do. Never let anyone suppress your freedom to express who you are. You never know what sort of creative outlet you can explore, unless you're honest with yourself, and who you are as a person.

You can't ever let society tell you what is right and what is wrong - you have to find that out for yourself. There are others out there just like you, so embrace the fact that you are special, and own it. It's not every day a kid like you is born, and soon the world will understand and cherish you. It's not your fault that people don't understand what they soon will learn to love.

Bailey's first, same sex crush:

A boy who lived next door. We'd explore each others bodies, but neither of us knew what being gay meant. But, the connection felt so right and strong.

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

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Logan

Logan, age 3
York, Nebraska (1982)

I was very similar to how I am now as a kid - notoriously attention-seeking, sensitive, and into bright shiny things. I had pizazz and stuff. My other pic I submitted is me as the only boy, with a bunch of girls in dance class, thus:

"Deep breaths, Bert. You can take it, gurrrrrl."

I remember feeling like it was unfair that I didn't get to have a feather with my dance class outfit just because I was a boy - the ONLY boy in town who wanted to dance and be "girlie".

I also used to wear my pajama bottoms on my head and pretend it was long, luxurious hair, so...
I'm guessing these feelings all originated from the same place.

As far as the Bert fisting pic is concerned, I don't really remember. Must have been the poppers...

The other kids started actively making fun of me for being a "girl" or "gay" when I was 4 or 5.
I started catching on shortly after.

I'm proud of this kid for being himself, even when his parents didn't want him to dance and the other kids were torturing him. Dude just wanted to wear spandex and sequins and, moreover, DID.

Editor's Note:
Logan Lynn is an Out Musician & LGBTQ Activist
Check him out: LoganLynnMusic.com

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

Billy Campbell (in "The Rocketeer")

I saw "The Rocketeer" in the theater and got my 1st male celebrity boner.