‘Coming Out’: Gay Teenagers, in Their Own Words

[___closetome]

The suicide of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman who jumped from the George Washington Bridge last year after discovering that his roommate had secretly streamed his romantic interlude with another man on the Internet, captured worldwide attention. In the wake of his death, stories of gay youths being bullied and taking their own lives

Comments

Semi OT

[zaure]

I must have had a weird experience because coming out as a teen was really easy for me, but I hate being gay now (I'm almost 23) and would do anything to be normal. idk.

Re: Semi OT

[glo_unit]

Why do you hate being gay?

Re: Semi OT

[zaure]

It's a combination of gay and not wanting kids. I dunno, it just seems as I get older (especially out of college) that everybody only cares about their spouse and kids and I feel really alienated and alone and like it will never get better and if I were normal and wanted a husband and kids at least somebody would love me?

The gay thing is just one part of me I hate. I just don't like being so different. I could deal with being different in one way, but all ways just sucks.

Re: Semi OT

[romp]

Having a supportive family and accepting environment is still rare.

If you're saying that you're finding friends are pairing up and starting to focus on families, I think that's part of being in your 20s and 30s wherever you are on the spectrum. FWIW, I don't think the 20s are terribly easy, despite the teens getting all the press. :) People are still working out who they are but maybe it's mainly about finding your community. And maybe you can still do that.

FWIW, I settled down at 25 but still had friends who were single, poly, whatever. It can be done!

[xerox78]

Non-traditional gender norms = flaunting their sexuality? :\

[magus_69]

IFKR?

[accioceci]

I love Darren Criss and Chris Colfer but can we stop acting like Glee is some huge step for equality? There was an episode dedicated to debating whether or not bisexuality exists and it was pretty clear to me that the general consensus of the characters was.

[lizzy_someone]

Also the part where Santana said she was attracted to boys and to girls and once had a sex dream about a shrub. Because everyone knows that if you like boys and girls, then you will have sex with pretty much anything!

[accioceci]

Oh jeez, I forgot about that fail.

Also, if you don't have sex you're a cold prude!!!!1!

[evewithanapple]

Don't forget the one where Rachel said that Santana- the Latina character- would only have a future "dancing on a pole" and wasn't challenged by anyone, including the teacher present.

[lizzy_someone]

flaunted their sexuality

*side-eye*

[romp]

the photos and stories are lovely--I hope they help a few people realize they're not alone