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Before I start talking about how everything gets better and that you need to stay alive and continue your voyage as young gay people in society. I would like to begin with my personal tragedies and triumphs.

The teasing and taunting for me; goes all the way back to elementary school. I remember sitting on the playground playing with a basket ball, just minding my own business when this kid named Jake came up to me and said ”you’re gay!” and then I said ”no I’m not” and then he mimicked me ”No I’m not”.

There’s one thing you should notice, I remember his name. Not only do I remember his name but I remember his last name.

You will probably remember all the names of all the people that make fun of you. That’s okay; you move on eventually.

Anyway, that was all fine and dandy, I made it through elementary school, and ironically I won the Christianity award at school, LOL. In comes high school. Grade nine was fine, I was surrounded by nice people, I made lots of friends and there was this feeling of respect towards everyone, I felt so scholarly and grown up.

Then grade 10 happened.

It was like waking up in the twighlight zone. Suddenly I had no friends and everyone was gossiping about me, I didn’t understand a thing. I had to start over. I made new friends, much better one’s. The one’s I did keep were the one’s who had followed me from elementary school; Jaimie, James, and Jerrica. Then I met some cool people like Carine, Elisse and John.

I had my army now.

Every single day I would be called fag, gay, homo etc. Those names really do hurt; it’s not something anybody should have to deal with at school. And it only got worse from here. I remember I was sitting in math class; math class was the worse, the fountain of homophobia if you will. This kid Graham was in trouble for something and the teacher asked him to sit near the front beside me; and he said ”I don’t want to sit beside that fagot!” And the teacher replied ”Okay come sit here then”

I was appalled. Disgusted, I could not contain myself. I got up and with a huge scream: “I cannot learn in this place! I am leaving”

I went to the principal’s office and recounted the story to him. He didn’t do anything about it, but at least it was off my chest. Keep in mind this is all before I ”came out”.

After I came out, there was rumour after rumour. Who I was sleeping with, how I came out in front of everyone by standing on a desk and announcing it etc… (I didn’t by the way lol) I just embraced it, I felt like a young Britney Spears being followed by the paparazzi. I would wear shirts that said ”Real men wear pink” or ”Boys kissing is HOT”. This created quite a stir. I was lucky that people were not violent towards me. But words cut like a knife sometimes.

I took action. I was PROACTIVE. I wrote articles that I would pass around. I would wear nail polish to piss people off (and it did)

Eventually: It got better.

People became more tolerant, or got used to it.

They realized that I didn’t care what they had to say, and that their words could no longer affect me. After I graduated and moved on, people still talked about me, but those that did are still living with their parents to this day, planning a new kegger party for thanksgiving.

I am successful. I recently moved to Moncton. Received three job offers and got calls for ten job interviews. That’s more than these people will probably ever accomplish in their lives. I went to college, I learned about life. I have a boyfriend of almost three years. I have a niece and a nephew who I love. I have friends and family who support me. I have it ill. They have nothing. I win and they do not. But to be clear I do wish them success and happiness in the long haul, but until those people who make fun of others can learn to be accepting they will not benefit from the fruits of this world. Sorry it’s true:).

Anyway, it gets better!

Just wanted to say thank you to my mom and brother who always supported me. They never ever, not once, made me feel like being gay was bad. My mom was literally excited lol. I love you mom. To all my dear friends, John, Kayla, Kate, Carine, Jaimie, James, Jerrica, Elisse and so many others, you are amazing people, so happy to have known you, we got through so much together. To the teachers who did care. Mrs. Ethier, Mrs. Delorme, Mrs. Tripp, Mrs. Di Stefano and many others, how lucky was I to have you all with me, actually sticking up for me when things were said. Thank you.

So stay strong, you don’t want to miss this! YOU REALLY DON’T! You have so much to offer! If you’re in need of someone to talk to reach out! And if you won’t reach out to a professional, reach out to a friend, anyone! Just reach and a hand will extend to pick you up. Reach out to me: erikcgarneau@gmail.com. I cannot give you official counselling of any sort, but we can be friends and help each other out.

Thank you all for reading; I hope this made some sense.