March 2001

Dear Dale: I am 13 and live with my mom and step-dad. Sometimes I wish I didn't because I can't talk to anyone about my crush on my best friend. I'm afraid to talk to my friend because he might think I'm perverted like my mom and step-dad do, like the time they caught me with a copy of Out Now. I've been getting Out Now and some other gay papers whenever I get the chance. My step-dad thinks gays are perverted so I have to hide stuff in my locker at school. But sometimes I wish your writing could get read by more people because it makes me feel like I have a future and everything my parents and my older sister have. They get to have families, and hold hands even in public places like when they go get groceries or watch my younger brother play baseball. My parents want me to be better at sports. But I hate sports. And they tell me I act like a girl. But sometimes I feel proud when I read your stuff about love, and how you act like I'm just the same as anybody else. So I hope I get to meet you some day, or at least get to live like your web page says. Maybe some day I'll have my own email but I use the one at the library now. So thanks anyway, and maybe you could write to me in Out Now so I could read it. Anonymous via e-mail

Dear Anonymous: One day you will have your own lifetime companion who recognizes how special you are. You also have a whole community here to support you right now. I've spoken with Dr. Gilbert-Higginson at the Billy DeFrank Center about you, and he is expecting to meet you soon. You can find him between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Wednesday. And, on Wednesdays, he's there from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. We, your people, love you very much. And you will be both welcome and safe at the DeFrank Center.

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