Advice for Gay Teens

Well, I feel really bad that nobody told me about "Spirit Day" yesterday. I was supposed to wear purple to show support for gay teens and in memory of a gay teen who committed suicide.

Really, I had no idea that life around the states was still so bad for teens. It makes me furious and I DO want to help. It's just that there are so MANY "Days" and "colors"---I thought purple was for Alzheimer's.

So I was watching Ellen about 4PMish and a knock at my door. It was a staff member here with a package. Ellen was just talking about Spirit Day and as my partner of 32 years answers the door, the staff member says, "You aren't wearing purple! Happy Spirit Day!" Partner just smiles, "Same to you," thinking it is some sporting event thing. Then the staff member tells her "Diane will know about it, she posted it on Face book." (No, she didn't.)

How am I supposed to keep up with all this? I'm not on a Gay Agenda List and as I've mentioned before, my gay friends are few. (Like one, plus his partner) I didn't get on Face book until after 6PM; I'm sure they are all over it there.

AND I just posted about how good luck on it getting better, kids. Okay, so, about turn and let me give some old LGBT person advice to all you teens reading my blog (right): Move to a big city. Seek a job in a gay friendly place. Search for true love, never give up, and if you don't want that search for another who wants what you do. Make life an adventure. Make a list of what makes you happy and start heading that way. Watch Ellen, LOGO channel, Lady Gaga, google gay authors, gay books, study YOU, love YOU, know that the world is not always going to spin your way, but that is true for everyone. And here is something I never knew as a teen---there are MANY of us! You are not alone. (Seriously, move to a big city and I don't mean Salt Lake.)

One last thing: Don't kill yourself. You deserve your life. Most of us have thought about doing it, and you are too important to not be around because when that wonderful moment happens, trust me, you will want to be there. If you feel like killing yourself, call a crisis line--I used to work at one, so many people wish they were 'not'---it is a normal feeling, like wanting to eat gallons of ice cream or win the lottery, just come back to you and to me and to all the thousands of LGBT people who stayed around and are glad they did. As my mother told me many times, "Don't kill yourself." (How did she know??)

And look at how Ellen was treated when she came out---TERRIBLE, but after awhile people came around. Hang tough until you are 18, then come out or move out. And the rest? You will find a way to make it up as you go.