Ask Jeff & Anthony

Submitted By: Anononymous
Date: January 18

Okay, this isn't a question as much as a comment and a thank you letter. I have several people I would like to thank(hope its okay to post it in this section). Some of them I haven't even met, and some of them I have. The first person I would like to thank is one of my very good 'friends'. This friend is my teacher. When I first thought that I was gay, many thoughts passed through my mind. I as extremly afraid of telling my parents, and was also very worried about what would happen at school. My teacher is very open about the topic, and 'supports' gays. I was getting so nervous about it that I asked if I could talk to her while we were going to the track. She said yes and asked me what it was. I guess we were at the track for an hour or so(our whole class), and it took me the entire time to tell her. When I told her that I was gay, she said 'okay, that's fine...'(or something). So, at the end of the day, when it was time to leave(my teacher takes me home on some days), she took me home, since I live right by the school and usually walk home. Anyway, while we were riding in the truck she said something like "If your starting to have those feelings, it's okay. I have gay friends...". Than I started to ask about my mom and what she might do and she said something like,"Don't worry, thats just closed-minded people who have been so brainwashed by their parents that think that way. Your mom won't care". This may sound strange coming from my teacher, but she and my mom are friends, so she knows my moms personality and stuff. Anyway, I was almost home so she dropped me off, and I said good-bye. Anyway, for about a year if I ever had any questions or needed help, I could talk to her. She was the one that finally gave me the courage to tell my mom. My parents are divorced and my dad is/was abusive. He always hit me and called me a girl and stuff like that, so I really don't think I'll be telling him any time soon. My brother is also a closed-minded person. He beleives every 'stigma' that is labeled about homosexuality. Anyway, I told my mom about three months after I had told my teacher. So, put simply, I would like to thank my teacher, who without your help I don't know where I'd be. The next person I would like to thank is my mom who is 'pretty much' supportive about gays. I say pretty much because she will not 'treat them bad', and is not rude or anything, but is not the type of person I would discuss 'who I like' with. She does support me and says that the only thing that sorta' makes her 'sad' is that it is a much harder lifestyle; since society is not as accepting, and because of the whole HIV thing. Anyway, thanks mom for supporting me and not 'drawing into' the stigmas or myths about gays. The next to people I would like to thank are Jeff and Anthony. Even though I only posted one question before(using my real name), your answer still helped me and I would like to thank you a lot. I've also read other questions, which have helped me alot too. Thank you two for doing this 'service' to help young gay teenagers, and I hope that you will someday, and somehow get recognized for it. Thanx again everyone for all of your help, and I will always be eternaly grateful for your help. Thanx again,

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NOTE: Even though I may have been lucky to have all these 'support systems' to back me up, it's still hard. When ever you have any problems, there is always someone you can turn to; wheather it is a teacher, your parents, a friend, the counselor, J&A, or someone else, there is always someone who can help you out. When I came out, I felt a relief, like an extremly heavy burden was lifted off me. As of right now, I'm not quite sure if I'm gay, but if I'm not than I'm 'Bi'. Even though I most likely am gay, I will never be 'un-supportive', regardless of my orientation; may it be 'straight', 'gay', or 'bi', and will NEVER FORGET THOSE THAT HAVE HELPED ME. Thank you again, and remember, there is always someone that can help you...