Turning a gay teen straight ... on "Good Morning America" — Page 6

Oh, don't get me wrong--I am extremely proud of who I am. I love being gay. I love myself (and we all should!)

I merely answer the question "Why choose to be gay?" from the pov OF the teen me, who when coming out had to deal with the fears of the world for being gay. At that point, why would it have been a choice? What would have inspired a kid who did not know necessarily the good of being gay?

I remember being attracted to guys back at the age of 4 or 5 (in that way little kids do). My first crush was on John Schneider at the age of 5. What would have put the choice to like him before me? When was it a choice?

People who think it's a choice to be gay are just extremely ignorant. Did they choose to be straight? No, they just always were. Did I choose to come out? Sure. But, amen that I did. And God loves me for who and even WHAT I am.

And I REFUSE to allow homophobes like adamaddict and lostleander to tell me otherwise. It's bigotry covered up by religious conviction and it's BS. People thumped Bibles against Blacks in the 60s and they are doing it all over again against gays--because some people are too afraid to look within themselves to solve their problems in the world. No--surely the blame and root causes are external.

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Updated On: 7/30/05 at 02:39 PM

JRB--I absolutely see your point. I was thinking as a gay adult about how other gay adults who have happy fulfilled lives might answer the question, "Would you choose to be gay?" But yes, most teens who are struggling with the issues of sexuality would probably choose the easier route, especially given the cruelty of many teens towards people who are different. It is my hope that as gay people achieve the rights that straight people take for granted (two of the biggest being to marry and to serve openly in the miliary, should they be so inclined), they will see bright futures ahead of them and not have to struggle as much as most of us have had to do. And JRB, you are one of the examples that gay youth can point to with pride and hope. You're happy, you're doing what you want with your life, and you're an actor who doesn't feel the need to hide who he is. My highest compliments to you!

Updated On: 7/30/05 at 07:14 PM

Thank you much, eslgr8!

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that woman needs a babushka and a hoe!

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