Title: One Teenager in Ten - Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth Author: Ann Heron (editor) Published by: Alyson Publications, 1983 ISBN: 0-932870-26-0 [Trade paperback, 116 pages]
One teenager in ten is gay or lesbian. Here some of these young people tell their stories: of discovering their gay feelings, of deciding whether to share their secret with friends and parents, of coming to terms with being different.Brandon, age 17: When I realized I was homosexual, the first thing I did was sit down and cry. I wondered why the same sex attracted me and why I felt desires that I knew I shouldn't. After I came to terms with my sexuality, I decided to sequester my feelings, if not for my sake, at least for the sake of my loved ones. I decided to try dating and I explored the drawers where my father hoarded his Playboys. If my "naturalness" wasn't going to come by itself, then I was ready to force it upon myself.
Deborah, age 18: Although I figured out that I was gay the summer I was sixteen, I didn't admit it to myself for a year and a half. I was in love with an older female friend who was thirty-six and married, but I thought I was only going through a stage. Over the months, I realized it wasn't a stage. I discovered that I had no feelings for boys, and that was all my friends used to talk about. I knew I was gay because I didn't know one other eighteen-year-old, twelfth grade girl who didn't like boys.
If you're young and think you might be gay, these stories will help you see that you're not alone. Other teenagers have confronted the same problems as you face, and their stories and advice can make your life easier.
If you're and adult who works with young people, this book will help you understand a major issue that you may never before have thought about.
Return to Jay's West Hollywood Home Return to Culture, History, Sociology Send to Jay
