I CAME FROM VERMONT: I Was Surprised At How Conservative and Intolerant Gettysburg Was (Sarah)

I feel like I was at Gettysburg during a really interesting time of transition...I graduated in 2006, just as a large group of underclassmen were starting to be a lot more active in allies and the political scene. I know when I started going to Allies meetings freshman year, there were about 3 other people going and it was all very hush-hush (or at least that's how I perceived it...) and we really had to pull teeth in order to get people to even show up. It seemed like there was still a lot of fear in even being associated with Allies. Coming from Vermont, I was surprised with how conservative and intolerant gBurg was - I know a couple of kids my freshman and sophomore years were getting some really awful stuff posted on their dorm-room doors, etc.

In my senior year, a pretty big group of active and fantastic freshmen and sophomores started to come in and shake things up. I feel like things really took a turn at that point, and Allies became more active and a little more pro-active in organizing events. I haven't really been back, so I don't know how that played out, but it seems like things are getting better...

I WOULD JOIN THE ARMY: If I Actually Believed There Were Legitimate Reasons For Fighting (James)

As long as the United States is caught up in unjust warfare around the world, I won't even consider enlisting. However, I will try my best to still support the soldiers, because it's not their fault; they're just doing their job, which is to follow orders.

If the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was repealed AND if I was 100% sure that we were fighting the correct enemy, then of course, I would want to protect and defend my country. My grandfather, father and some of his brothers, were members of the U.S. Army, but members of my father's generation have drawn parallels between the current situation and the ridiculous Vietnam War, and they've convinced me to avoid the military even more.

I think it's extremely heroic and admirable to see soldiers serving their time and then, coming out of the closet not much later. The fact that they not only fought in the military but that they SURVIVED, shows that gays & lesbians are just as capable on the battlefield, and if GLBT individuals are willing to enlist, then why make them hide their sexual identities?

I could never be an official in a religion which viewed homosexuality as a sin. However, I could understand how some GLBT people would want to show their devotion to God. I admire them for having their own interpretation of God's message, instead of bowing down to a holy institution (eg. the Vatican).

Back in high school, a few of my Catholic friends back home were very friendly with openly-gay students, and they would always say, "Hate the sin, not the sinner," as if they were being profound. It doesn't come out and say it, but it implies that you should hate an essential part of someone: his/her sexuality. It's like saying, "I don't hate YOU personally... I just hate that you date members of your own sex." It's very confusing and hypocritical if you ask me.

Even though I'm not a fan of any organized religion, I would love to embrace my spirituality, express my devotion to a higher power, and train for a position in a Pagan (nature-based worship/ritual) sect.

MY ROCKETMAN: I Will Always Love You (James)

The first (and possibly, the only) man I ever really loved was... well, let's just call him by his old petname, "RocketMan." ;-) He and I met in the 6th grade. He wasn't all that bright, so the only classes we had together were Band and Gym. To tell you the truth, in the beginning, I actually had my eye on his best friend, who was also in the class. BUT... HE was the one who seemed fascinated with me and for some reason, loved to horse around in the locker room.

But I digress. I didn't start falling for him until the 6th grade overnight Band Trip to Busch Gardens. We shared a hotel room with two other guys with only two beds, so we chillaxed on the floor; as you might guess, fooling around ensued.

After nearly three years of courting back and forth and after his best friend moved away, he and I started hanging out at each other's houses every day after school. As I got to know him and realize that he was NOT as dense as I originally thought, I fell head over heels for him. And so, on one fateful Saturday afternoon in May of 2001, we both lost our virginity... while my parents were in the living room right above us. XD

Our relationship was almost entirely a secret, until one of my girl friends heard him say something she shouldn't have (about a "private sleepover invitation"), one day in English class. Back then, I liked the secrecy, I liked holding onto the hope that I was just bisexual... but nowadays, I feel that there's no place for secrecy in a mature relationship and VERRRRRRRRRY few men out there are worth hiding who you are.

Sadly, once we reached high school, we never had another class together and rarely ran into each other, but whenever we did and STILL do, it's as if no time has passed whatsoever and just the sound of his voice makes the hairs on my neck stick up... in a good way.

I'm extremely glad and lucky that my first time was with someone who I genuinely loved and will always love, now as a friend. We're forever connected and nothing will ever change that. ♥

I BROUGHT HOME BUTCH WOMEN: My Parents Replied, "Why Don't You Just Date A Man?" (Celia)

I love my family. We've always been close. We've sort of distanced more in the past few years, as my two sisters and I have grown up more, moved away, and they've been in more serious relationships. That's sad to me.

My mom asked me if I was gay- on IM [Online Instant Messenger]! She then told the family. She was really, really great about it. Sometimes she makes comments that make me wonder—I think she believes that being straight is an easier route in life, but she has no problem telling her friends (in small town Iowa) that her daughter is a lesbian. She's claimed she's known since I was young. My dad did take a bit to adjust, but he is wonderful as well.

My sisters were fine—and I sometimes feel they're more out for me than I am! They are both straight.

My mom didn't talk about my sexual identity with all the members of the family—and still maybe hasn't. However, we're really not that close with many of them, so I don't really care.

My parents did have a problem with my image more when I came out—my dad less so. They didn't like my more butch phase... or people I dated who were butch. I heard that classic comment, "Well, why don't you just date a man?"

I sometimes don't know if it's that I don't feel comfortable—or if it's because we're just not that close—but I don't share a ton about my relationships with my parents. I usually don't tell them I’m dating someone for a few months—and don't share any of the details. I don't know how much my sisters share about their boyfriends. But my family has always liked and been wonderful about meeting people I've dated. Even parents of people I've dated.