Being attracted to someone of the same sex can be frightening _ so frightening that you may deny your feelings, or throw yourself into dating the opposite sex, just to prove you are not gay or lesbian.
But then the feelings come up again. You try to put them out of your mind but you can't. Finally, you stop resisting, and in that instant, your world changes. You discover that being with someone of the same sex feels better than being with the opposite sex ever did. But what will this mean for the rest of your life?
Certainly, life is more challenging if you are gay or lesbian. It requires that you develop the courage to honor your own experience of love above anyone else's judgments about it. But you can do it. Millions of people have, and many say it was the best thing they ever did.
In creating this publication, we have talked to some prominent gay men and lesbians about their experiences of coming to terms with their sexual orientation, and coming out to others. Among them: U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, actor Wilson Cruz, and Essence magazine Executive Editor Linda Villarosa. We hope you find what they say helpful.