And I would say and she feels the same way about him.  I told my daughter that she was very lucky to have found someone and have such an awesome relationship because it is so rare.  I on the other hand told both of them that they were so young they should enjoy time with friends and do other things rather than constantly being together.
 
Just last month my daughter would want to be with her boyfriend every day and sometimes I would tell her she had to stay in and be with her family, do some studying, or just clean her room.  Her boyfriend would start to snap at her because he wanted to see her.  One week later she said she was breaking up with her boyfriend because she couldn’t handle him getting mad at her. 

I told her that they have been so close that she should just talk it through with him because I knew she would miss him after all they had been through.  I also knew that he would be devastated, because he loved her so much (they would both often say they were going to get married some day). 
 
But she was determined and broke up with her boyfriend.  He called me and I told him that she was upset because he yelled and he said if he knew she would leave he would change.  Just before all this occurred my daughter had me drive a friend home from school one day.  When this friend got out of the car I said “What did you say that boy’s name was”.  My daughter laughted and said that is a girl. 

Right after that I got a message from my daughter’s boyfriend saying she was dating that girl.  I didn’t believe it, how could she go from such an intense loving relationship with a boy and suddenly want to be with this girl.  But my daughter confirmed that she really liked this girl.  It has been about two weeks now and I can’t say how sick this has made me.  I, like other letters I read, feel physically ill and can’t accept it. 

Even though I was OK with my daughter breaking up with her boyfriend, as I said “you both are so young to be so serious”, I find myself trying to get her to go back with him.  She says there is no way she will go back because even though I saw the good side, he had a very negative side that she couldn’t handle, his yelling.  My husband is not happy with my daughter’s choice of sexual orientation but he seems to accept it as that’s who she is.  He is not a support for me because he just says, “You need help”. 
 
I realize I made a mistake in becoming too close to my daughter’s boyfriend.  He was always at our house and I talked to him a lot.  It is so ridiculous of me because I find myself checking out my daughter’s my space page and that of her boyfriend.  It makes me angry to see this girl has replaced my daughter’s boyfriend and in looking at my her boyfriends page I feel so sad because it seems girls have come out of the woodwork and are sending him flirtations notes. 

I feel sad for him because he has been distraught over my daughters decision but it tears me up inside to see him moving on and talking to other girls.  All of this is just because I don’t want my daughter to be gay and in someway don’t think she could possibly  be gay after the relationship she just ended.  She started out saying she thought she was bi but now has moved to saying she is gay. 
 
I think when people are so desperate like me they can do things they don’t normally do.  In my case, it is trying to convince my daughter to get back with her boyfriend and checking their my space.  I don’t want to act this way and I don’t want to feel this way. I read that I will feel better with time but I feel so sick right now. 

Of course these rainbow colors are not only used in flags but also in stickers, ribbons, jewelry, bags, clothing and so much more.  The rainbow flag is not the only symbol that is used to represent gay pride. There is also the pink triangle that originated during the nazi invasion in WWII along with other relevant symbols.

As many more people are coming out these days there is also a rise in gay recognition and one of the best ways to show positive recognition is to display gay pride merchandise in some way.

This can be by having a rainbow sticker on your car or wearing a rainbow band on your wrist or having a rainbow flag outside your shop. To find this type of merchandise can be a little hard for many people especially if they do not know where the gay areas are.

So I have added a gay pride store to my site to make it easy for people to find just about anything and everything that represents gay pride all at one place. Take a look around the store and you will be surprised with the variety that is available.

Growing up in a strict, Catholic household wasn’t an easy feat; especially for a gay boy. Skipping past my molestation incident when I was 7 years old, my first instincts of not being a normal boy occurred around age 9. Yes, I was attending a small, private Catholic school with only 20 or so students per class. In the fourth grade, I always felt different, not tough or well-liked by the other kids. I can’t explain why I felt alien all the time, I just did.

It wasn’t until I turned 10, when I had my first experience with another boy. I became very close friends with a peer, Trevor, who was also seen as “different.” Our friendship grew so quickly, that we were like brothers by the middle of the school year. A very long story short, we ended up kissing each other one night (a sleep over). After that year, I knew something was terribly wrong with me.

Starting middle school, I finally entered a public school environment. It was completely different in all aspects, with the teachers, rules, peers, lunches, everything. All of this was entirely new to me; sometimes I was too overwhelmed. I didn’t have a lot of friends and I wasn’t popular, and I wasn’t cool or big. As a late bloomer, I fought day and night with my inner feelings.

Most of my friends were “growing up,” getting bigger, taller, developed like men should be. It felt like I was lagging far behind everyone else. Multiple times I was mocked and teased for being so small and weak. I was already really sensitive to begin with, so these negative comments only added fuel to the flames of my insecurities.

Trying to fade out the nightmares from my molestation back when I was 7, the 9th grade was well underway. All of my friends (who were boys mind you) kept talking about girls. How they wanted to hug them, kiss them and be with them. My jaw dropped with awe. I couldn’t fathom what they were saying. Be with girls? Kissing girls? Hugging them? That sounded so wrong to me, and so vile. Something I could NEVER picture myself doing.

It was then when my friends started behaving oddly around me, or at least in my eyes they were acting differently. In fact, it was I who was the different one around them. Sometimes, I called my friend and invited him over, only to have him tell me, he was going on a date with a girl. This would get me so angry, asking myself, “Why would he want to hang out with a girl instead of me?”

While fighting these wrong feelings, my mother kept pestering me to find a girlfriend, or kept asking me “Which girls are cute in school?” I cringed at the thought of “cute girls” but I realized what I felt was wrong so I simply told my mom, “I haven’t seen any yet.” Deep down I knew I was different, well, I figured different now. Being a late bloomer, I told myself this was a phase I needed to bypass, and once I finally reach true puberty and become a man, I will find girls attractive.

At age 14, I still looked like a child, sounded like a child and was built like a child. The teasing in high school was even worse, especially from the seniors. The tall, intimidating seniors would blatantly march up to me and ask my age. When I answered, they would openly laugh in my face (a quick leap into the future, I didn’t reach puberty till about 16).

I felt so insecure while walking through the hallways of that school. Everyone, boys or girls, were bigger than I, more mature-looking than I, smarter, normal. Almost all of my friends now were obviously into the opposite gender, whether it was dating, holding hands in the hallways or talking on the phone with. Here I was, alone, confused, still waiting to find girls attractive. Again, I was still utterly convinced it was a phase because I was such a late bloomer.

It wasn’t until I saw a boy named Justin. He was in my grade, and he was in the music/band programs with me. I usually saw him everyday, before first block, in the hallway, next to the library doors. Most days, I’d find myself purposely taking the long way to my class to walk by Justin, just to see him. My stomach would twirl into dozens of threads when I saw his bright blonde hair and shiny blue eyes.

There was something about him, something I could never explain to myself, something I desperately desired. I remember during band, Justin was a woodwind player and sat towards the front, and as a percussionist, I had the entire back area of the music room to move around. There were times where I purposely inched my chair around, sliding back and forth, just so I could see him. He was a very popular boy, especially in the band clique. So I tried convincing myself, “I like Justin so much because I want to be his friend. Yeah, I just want to be his friend, so I can be popular too.” For over a year this is what I solely believed.

As time went on in my early years of high school, I found myself WANTING to please the other boys in anyway I could. If a boy asked me for a pencil, I jumped to attention and quickly handed him my best one. If a girl asked me, I shrugged and said, “Sorry, this is my only one.” I know that was sexist at the time, but I honestly had no idea I was doing that. Whenever the teacher lectured on and on, I drifted away into a fantasy of me and Justin. It didn’t matter what I was daydreaming about, Justin was in every single one.

High school was a mess in almost all ways possible. I got IBS due to my depression of the thought of being gay. So I missed a lot of school and was in extreme amounts of pain. I didn’t try real hard at school work, therefore my grades dwindled. Whenever I saw a cute boy, my body would shake without control and I loved and hated myself for it. Due to my insecurities about this issue, I was probably seen as the “social weirdo.” Even in junior and senior year, a few boys teased me for reasons unknown (maybe they knew, or was it because I was openly sensitive?). 

Anyway, I was consciously aware I was gay during senior year when my “girlfriend,” Amy, wanted to make out with me and have sex. We kissed on the lips a few times but it felt so odd and awkward. I felt nothing, no spark, nothing. Amy seemed to be enjoying it, but I wanted to leave. I don’t remember my excuse for not having sex with her that night; I think I told her, “I’m not ready.” She kept pushing me and pushing me to kiss or make out with her and I kept putting it off with the lamest excuses. I deeply hated myself for doing that to her, but I could never make out with her.

Our friendship died down when we went to college, going our “separate ways.” Even at 18, I was still overly sensitive about being gay, well the “possibility of being gay.” I first came out to my mom, solo, one day after school. I’ve been reading gay-help websites and stories about kids coming out and most of them were happy endings. So I prayed that my mom loved me enough to accept me. Well, things didn’t go so well.

She immediately went on a guilt trip, claiming it was her fault and that she failed as a parent. I was in tears and speechless after I told her those three words. She went on and on about how bad and vile being gay was. About how I’d get AIDS, live alone forever, never have a normal family, never have friends, be spat on and beaten, live in a secluded neighborhood, everything anti-gay, you name it. I went into complete system shock while she scolded me. Without thinking, I went “back in the closet” and assured her it was probably just a phase that I’ll get through.

The next day I was sent into therapy for social anxiety, when the real reason was to cure me. It took me a whole year to tell my therapist the true reason why I was there. Another long story short, I called my parents in with my therapist and “officially” came out to them. Let’s just say, my parents will NEVER accept it. They’re both die-hard, close-minded Catholics that believe what they see and what they want to see. Both of them still believe it’s a choice and that I chose to be gay to upset them. I assured them, it wasn’t my choice and that I tried literally everything to change that. That’s when my dad told me he would rather have me with cancer than be gay.

Afterwards, my parents claim they love me, but it doesn’t feel real to me. I’m basically NEVER allowed to mention it ever again, never bring home a partner and never behave or act like it. It’s almost like, I never told them I’m gay and I’m supposed to pretend I’m not. I’m pretty sure my parents went so far back into denial that my mom probably thinks I’m straight now. She keeps making, “What happened to you and Amy? You two would have had beautiful children,” remarks to me every now and then.

I went to meet a gay guy who works at a diner near my house and if my parents knew I was going there for THAT reason, they would most likely officially disown me or kick me out. He was a nice guy, but not really my type. He’s way out there and extremely flamboyant. I’m okay with that, but as an introverted gay guy, that’s not my style.
So here I am now, still struggling in school to achieve “my dreams.” Everyday feels messed up, more and more.

 I don’t know if I’ll go crazy one day and scream it at my parents, or if I’ll kill myself, I don’t know. My real dream is to become a father, to raise a son, so I can love him unconditionally, without stereotyping him, teasing him, pushing him, criticizing him, making him something he’s not. It doesn’t matter whether I’m with another man, or single.

To parents, never treat your children like their trash or a sin. You should love them unconditionally, no matter their sexual preference. Who cares if they love differently than you do? They’re not hurting anyone, and if you truly believe they’re hurting you, then you need to desperately rethink your philosophy of life. Majority of people believe what they see, not what’s real. They carry what they’re beliefs are onto their children and almost force it upon them. People need to open their mind to what’s outside their cave of comfort and see the real world. It would create so much more empathy in people and resolve so many conflicts going on in this messed up world.

well i cannot tell you a masterpiece i can just tell you how the view of the world is through the eyes a 15 years old,teenage homosexual boy…well i’ll just get to the point…it is very hard..because not many boys share his…interests…and he is feeling alone and isolated…even with his parents support he is alone…he cannot tell other people even if he wants it very much because most people doesn’t understand difference and will probably make fun of him and even sometimes it gets to violence…

any  parent knowing of his son orientation should make his life be more comfortable…i mean…make him feel normal…not just saying “i understand you and etc.”…you should make him happy…maybe go out somewhere where he wants from a long time…or suggest camping with a neighbourhood family which has a son his age…he will be pleased trust me!

But no way,in no condition do not have a conversation with him about homosexual people..it will just upset him.It’s simple..homosexual people have more in touch with their emotional side…if you say “you are an idiot,i don’t know why i let you live here(or something from this sort)” he will be very upset although he doesn’t show it…he will probably lock up in his room and be devastated,sometimes even cry.

You see his interests  until the age of 15 are simple…just to talk with another boy but to be most open…to tell his feelings and what are his desires and etc..when he reaches the age of 14-15 (puberty) of course he would want to have some physical contact with a person from the same sex…maybe a kiss or to touch his face,chest and some other body parts.of course of the age of 15-16 he will have some sexual desires but gay boys that age are too afraid to have intimate relations with another boy…on the ago of 16-17 he is more willing and can control his body and acts like a normal boy and you can hardly notice he is homosexual..on the age of 18 and above his only intimate wish is to have a night alone with a boy..what they will do is a secret(i’m not that old LOL)…

A homosexual boy accepts everything with ease,because he understants difference.mostly they feel miserable until they find their “buddy”.
Also you should look for their relationship with their brother/sister..just because they are gay doesn’t mean their relations should be TRASH…try to keep the warm ..make family dinners or send them to both to do a “important job” or sent them to camping…their relations are very important because he is a child after all and he cannot share everything with elders…he needs someone his age that way he feels more…understood…well i have to go now training is calling..hope you read and reply…

Regards,Daniel
Bulgaria,Europe

PS:Sorry for the bad spelling and punctuation my formal language is Bulgarian…

I had to discourage my daughter from seeing her girlfriend. Their relationship was also abusive. The girl would scream at my daughter on the phone. My daughter was cutting herself. I took her to a Psychologist and she was put on an antidepressant.
 
That was all a long time ago. My daughter is now almost 18. I had hopes that this was just a phase and that she would end up being heterosexual. The girlfriend ended up being heterosexual. My daughter is still on a antidepressant. I have told my daughter that I love her no matter what. I do wish this was not happening. I want her to have a normal life.

I do not condone her being gay but I do not treat her badly or am negative about it. She knows that if I could change things I would. We have a Christian home and my husband, not her father, is extremely religious. He doesn’t say anything to her about being gay. He does not approve though. I am not sure of my feelings.

If people are born gay which I am starting to believe then how can they be condemned for it. The religious stand point is that people may have gay desires but they need to not act on these desires and live a life of abstinence or become heterosexual. For me to think of my daughter being alone for the rest of her life kills me. I want her to be happy and have a loving long term relationship. So I struggle with all this.

My daughter is very bold. She got a rainbow tattoo. She puts rainbow stickers on her car. I wish she would not do this. I think it is better to keep this to herself and only tell those close to her.
I have only told a few people about this. Maybe I am ashamed. I don’t know. It just hurts a lot still. My daughter doesn’t seem to care who knows. I am starting counseling soon and hope to get help with all of this.

Maryann from USA

Once my mom found out a week after we started dating she called me every name in the book relating to being gay, she called me a Queer and that really offended me. Ever since then my mom reminds me every single day not missing one day at all, how much she really hates “us gay people”. I dont know when my mom will ever except me, but I really am getting tired of her always putting me down and making me cry. She screams at me, and I just dont know what to do, because I just can’t stick up for myself at all. She is afraid to tell all of my other family members afraid of what they would think of “her”. It is always about my mom.

So basically I have to live 2 lives. One to where I have to be “straight” around all my other family members, then the other to where i can just be myself, but I can never do anything right in my moms eyes, she is ashamed of me and “my choices”. she thinks being gay is a choice.
 
Please help me. Please.
Jillian

In an effort to help people understand that gay people are more like the rest of us than they realize, I’ve written a novel entitled Hallowed Illusions.  It’s a story of a young man who, while sick, has a series of dreams about a beautiful woman.  His grandfather, a retired fundamentalist minister, is ecstatic and enthusiastic. It’s likely a sign from God that young Phillip should give up his sinning ways and settle down with a wife.

Problems arise when Phillip discovers the woman in his dreams died a mysterious death sixty years before and that she knew Pastor and grandmother Abby very well.

I’ve worked hard to give Phillip characteristics that are true to most men in general and, for the most part, to give him a loving family. The Las Vegas, NV PFLAG chapter notified its members of the book’s release and my book signing, which was held in late January 2007.  If you would be willing to let your members know that there is a book out there that identifies gay and lesbian people in a warm light, I would appreciate it. 

I may be an optimist, but I feel that the more people who realize gay and lesbian people are no different than anyone else, the sooner the rights of gay and lesbian people will be protected. I’ve read the mission, vision, and strategic goals of PFLAG and feel that my book will contribute to those things.

Because I think it is so very important for all people to understand that people in same sex relationships deserve all the rights that heterosexuals have, I have placed a link to PFLAG on my web site.  I want to mention, too, that my author email address (DonnaMQuick@hotmail) is on my book cover for anyone who would like to correspond through that avenue.

Thank you so much for your consideration in getting out the word about Hallowed Illusions.

Sincerely,

Donna M. Quick
enjoy my website at www.DonnaMQuick.com

Her partner (Molly) is also a wonderful person. I really am looking forward to having her in our life. I told my daughter that if her brother brought her home I would say “excellent choice” so why wouldn’t I say that because she brought her home. I am so looking forward to sharing this part of my daughters life.  I am so happy that she has found someone that she can share her life with and be happy.
 
I have always been a very open minded person and have all kinds of friends. I enjoy colorful,  independent, and true to their self people.
There is not a bone in my body that is upset about her choice.
In fact two weeks ago when she and Molly were over for a visit and I walked them out to say goodbye. I walked back in the house and said “what a nice looking couple” and I shook my head and said “did you really just say that”?

That’s when it hit me and I laughed out loud. Then I said should I worry about saving my wedding dress? When I told my daughter these thoughts that went through my mind we laughed together and she told me not to rule the dress out. I told her she’s right if she don’t wear it maybe Molly will. All that matters to me is her happiness.
My question is, Is it normal to be this happy? LOL!

My girl friend Debi, who is also a lesbian said I was a great mom, stop thinking and enjoy my daughter life.
There are other family members that will not be happy.
The protective mother in me wants to protect her & Molly.
How do I handle these situations?
I can have a sharp tongue , but I would like to handle it so everyone involved does not feel uncomfortable.

I look forward to hearing from you and let me say thank you now for your answers.

Thanks Again,
Denise Millang

Do you know what it is to be an outsider
on the other side of the fence?
How alone you would feel, if excluded you were.
Does it make any sense?

Can you imagine the isolated soul
with no-one in sight to hear
the cries and the tears that your heart would shed,
and the constant, looming fear?

Can you see in your mind the life of a man
without anywhere to belong?
Because a society judged him unworthy,
because they think they’re right, and he’s wrong.

Try and imagine the pain that you’d feel,
with sneers and hateful words, and spit at your heels.
What would it be like if the gates were locked;
you couldn’t get in, and you couldn’t get out?

Imagine the feeling that you’re worthless,
some dirt that’s been stepped on by someone’s uncaring shoe.
Perhaps at that point it’s too much for your heart,
and you take your own life, to stop it hurting you.

Imagine this world, for maybe a minute,
after that you can stop; you don’t like it, sure
but there are people who go through this every day,
and they can’t stop it, unless they’re no more.

So when you hear of hate, bigots and death,
don’t side with haters, cause that’s how you’ve been bred.
Imagine how it is, or was for that guy,
the one that’s hurt, or lying dead.

So imagine the feelings and memories too,
of people oppressed, hated, abused;
Of people who lived outside of that fence
and what they came to - does it make sense?