"I first met Aaron at a school dance. He was tall, strong and had a really cute smile. He was with a few of his friends who were openly gay but I never suspected he was too. I mean, he played rugby and I thought all gay guys were really feminine. Aaron was totally opposite...
He asked me out and for six months we were like any other couple. I'd go to see his football games and he'd take me to the movies. We spent all our time together and I had never felt this way about a guy before. My other friends who were in relationships had started taking the "next step". Aaron never pushed this with me. It never bothered me as we were just happy being with each other. Later on friends told me that they were suspicious about this, and I guess I was too. I just thought that things would happen in time.
As our nine month anniversary approached Aaron decided he wanted a break. I was devastated. I was in love and didn't want it to end. But Aaron said he needed to be sure he was doing the right thing and so I agreed. I thought he was questioning us as a couple, not his sexuality.
Things became much clearer at a party we both went to. It was hosted by Tim, one of Aaron's gay friends. I noticed Tim was stroking Aaron's hair all night. Suddenly there was a blackout and everything went dark. When the lights came on a few minutes later I found the two boys pashing behind the sofa. Everything went dark again and I ran out screaming. I was angry and felt used. Had I turned Aaron gay?
It took a while for me to understand. Having Aaron's other gay friends explain what it meant to be gay made it easier. I realised it wasn't because he thought I was unattractive that Aaron had broken up with me. Aaron had just accepted he was gay.
Not long afterwards Brock came into my life. He was my sister's friend and, even though he told me when we first met he had held hands with a guy before, I never thought he could be gay. We became very close but after a few months I realised we were more friends than boyfriend and girlfriend so we went our separate ways.
Later on that year I had a party and invited all my friends, including Aaron and Brock. I was excited to see them both as I hadn't seen either of them for a while. But I was shocked when they turned up together - holding hands! I almost died. Everyone in the party went quiet. Apparently they had met at one of Aaron's football games. While it took a while for the situation to register I eventually ran up to them and kissed them both on the cheek and said, "I'm so proud of both of you."
My friends now warn any boy I meet to be careful in case I turn them gay. I know it's a joke and Aaron and Brock laugh along. They now date and I support them 100 per cent. Some of my friends can't understand why but I have learnt that being gay isn't a choice; the choice is accepting who you are."
Don't Shut Up, Shout Out.If you've ever been harassed, teased or taunted, share your experiences and join our discussion board.
