Kevin, age 5
Lancaster, PA (1988)
It was a cool fall day at the Lancaster train station, I'd done ALL of my chores for 1 month, and it was time for my reward - a trip on a TRAIN to Harrisburg with my mom and my grandmothers. I had my little hat on, knee-high socks under my pants, and saddle shoes. I. Was. Ready! I remember being so excited being all dressed up for such a special treat for me. What little boy doesn't love a cute hat and saddle shoes?
I knew I was gay in elementary school, but didn't come to terms with it until college. Looking back,
I wish I would have strapped on saddle shoes and strutted down the halls of my alma mater with more pride than I did.
Being out and proud now (at age 27) is the best thing that could have happened to me.
I am now a teacher and able to be a role model for my closeted (and not-so-closeted) students in Boston.
And - to this day - I am still in search of the *perfect* saddle shoe!
Kevin's first, famous-person same sex crush:
Jonathan Taylor Thomas ("Home Improvement")