I first realised I was different from other people when my school-friends began talking about girls, and I noticed I wasn't really interested in that. It was my friends themselves who were arousing something inside me but I didn't really know what it was.

Years passed without me acknowledging or accepting myself as I was until, at 22, I realised that the best years of my life were behind me and I'd been denying what I am, hiding my true self. What's worse, I'd never tried to meet other guys like me. That would've helped me a lot. It would have been a relief, not only emotionally and psychologically, but sexually too.

Now I'm no longer in the closet. My best friends and some members of my family know about it. Some of them accept it and others don't, but that's not my problem.

It's not something I'd broadcast to everyone, like someone going on about his hobby, but I'm sure that if anyone asked me outright I wouldn't deny it. When I was 15 I asked myself if my feelings for my friends were just a phase I was going through, but later I knew that wasn't the case.

What I'd like to tell all the guys who read this is NOT to repress their homosexuality, and to get in touch with other guys. And still less try to stop being gay because, however much you try, you'll still be gay and trying to change will only bring psychological problems and stress. I'm talking from experience. If only we'd join forces against this multitude of problems that society throws at a gay adolescent, what couldn't we achieve?

If you are in this situation, understand clearly that you are NOT some kind of freak, you're NOT alone, and there are millions of us around the globe.

And don't feel guilty if you've had some kind of sexual contact with another boy. All you've done is follow your desires. If society doesn't like it, well it's not your problem.

When someone asks about my girlfriend I hate it but it makes me smile to myself. Ha! ha!. If only I DID tell them…

Why not bother to ask people whether they prefer girls or boys, instead of just assuming they're straight?

Know yourself! Get to understand your mind, your feelings, your heart, and your body. Maybe it will be a difficult journey, but the destination is your true self, the guy you've always wanted to be. Our society has laid all sorts of obstacles in your path, but it is better to live as you are, with your head held high, than to be always running away from yourself, lowering your head, and being what they want you to be. Fight for what you believe is right, whatever the consequences might be. If we all gave in, this world would be filled with fools. In case you hadn't noticed, they're already taking over…

I don't know if I'd call it bad luck to be gay, certainly it doesn't fit well with our society. I feel sad and angry that there are clearly many boys in this situation, who don't show themselves as they are and that makes them unhappy. They feel obliged to deceive, to lead a double life, to pretend to their friends that they like girls and then at night, they masturbate thinking about some guy in their class. All that pent-up tension can lead to real health problems.

If that's you, I urge you to grasp the nettle and come out of the closet. Don't let others dictate your life. We only have a few precious years to enjoy on this planet, then we'll be dead for a very long time!

You're afraid of the reaction, that they'll call you a poof…

Well, so what if I am a poof!!! There is institutionalised hatred of gays. And why? Only because when we love and make love we prefer someone of our own gender. They hate us because we don't subscribe to their customs; because we're not like the majority, because they'd rather we went away, and because we disgust them. It's the same disgust I have for this society.

It's a society which looks shocked if two guys kiss or hold hands in public. How many gays have been thrown out of bars simply for having a kiss?

It is shameful, and deeply regrettable.

Well, those are my thoughts on being gay. We're not monsters from outer space. And we don't lack a sense of humour. What really hurts is when they call me a poof. That word makes my blood boil. Why are people like that?

Thanks to you all for making a website for young people. I'm now 23. I've seen so many guys who've had no emotional support at all or someone who understands them, and if I can be of any help to anyone who reads this you can count on me. 

I'm your friend and I want every one of you to succeed.