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HEAR FROM PEN PAL PARTICIPANTS
I just want someone to talk to that has gone through the same thing that I have. Not many people understand what it's like to have a gay parent or to lose one to AIDS I just want someone to talk to that won't bash my dad because of his lifestyle. Sometimes I cry to myself. And other kids tease me about my mom. And it hurts to be called these names. COLAGE, can you help me find someone who understands and can be my friend?
I sometimes feel like I have to keep my parents' sexuality a secret, because people may judge me by that. Most people know about my father, but some of my closest friends don't even know about my mom. This has really affected my life and I just need someone to listen. My 11 year old and 7 year old daughters both have COLAGE penpals that they have been communicating with via email for the past few months. What was really exciting for us was that this past weekend we all got to meet one of their penpals and the penpal's family. They came up to Boston to spend the weekend with grandparents and we met and went "disco bowling" and then out for ice-creams at Friendly's. Two families, six kids (my 3 and the penpal and her siblings), with our respective partners, meeting each other, strangers yet sharing a common link and bond. It was so cool and I want to thank COLAGE for initiating this wonderful program. |
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Living in a small community, there are really no gay families, so when I try to explain my situation no one can carry a conversation. And boys are a whole 'nother issue. They seem scared of my fathers. I want someone cool to chat with about life and trials.
I think it's very different for kids with gay parents who live in a small, more rural place like Montana than for kids in say, San Francisco...I don't even know any other kids with gay parents, so I'm hoping that a pen pal would help me not feel like such a freak.