The biggest thing for me in high school was to take my boyfriend to a school dance, which was unheard of in my conservative school. We are known as the gay school cause of my best friend and me, but who cares. I really wanted to do it, and even during the dance, people would move away from us in disgust. The next Monday at school, one of my teachers pulled me aside and said, “Even that was too much for me, and I can take a lot of different activity.”
That sucked, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from being myself at school. It was the only place I felt safe, so I was going to keep being myself there.
That was two years ago and now I live in Boulder, CO, where I go to school and my life has become so much better because the people are awesome out here.
The best advice I can give other teens is to be yourself, and remember that life does get better. It may take some time, but it does get better and when it does, all the waiting will be worth it.
Good for you for having the courage to be yourself! (And that teacher was a ‘phobe!)
That was so brave of you to take your boyfriend to the dance, Tom. I wasn’t even out in high school, much less thinking about taking any boy to a dance.
You’re quite an inspiration to gay teens everywhere. Bravo!
I was amazed by the two or three people at my giant high school who were out, but to have taken a guy to a dance would’ve been unthinkable. Brad and Nate are right, that’s a whole new level of bravery. Good for you.
That teacher is disgusting. If you can’t take the sight of two guys dancing, don’t claim to be someone who can “take a lot.” Man, what a lightweight.
Good for you, that was seriously brave. I know the Arlington Heights well and it is quite staunchly conservative in every way so that took a lot of courage on your part. Bravo.
I’m glad you’re happy Tom. I love you.
I agree, verry brave and the teacher ha a long way to go.