the boy’s faces. I see a lot of it in public settings. They seem to be really confused. Do you think its society or just a lot of young girls experimenting with their sexuality? AO - I think they’re just experimenting. A lot of girls are curious they want to test the water. They think it’s a trend. It’s like a trend- setter. If your best friend likes a girl or if your best friend is bisexual then you want to follow along & go along with them. I don’t think there is nothing wrong with that, but if you’re going to sit there act & be the part. Then, at least know your facts. T2T - Can you explain know the facts? AO - Don’t say you’re, “gay, lesbian, fag or queer and you don’t even know the real meaning or what you want to be like? To each his own everyone has their own rea- son, but you need to follow your heart if that’s what you want to do. Is that some- thing you really want to do? Is that how you feel? Is that how your body feels towards this person? I mean you just need to know. Do your research. AO - I would say for some it’s a trendsetter, but most of the women that are doing is because of curiosity. A relationship between two women vs. a man & women is totally different. There is nothing that can compare to a woman & woman relationship. Our relation- ships can become violent and even difficult at times. However, it’s even more difficult between a man & woman. It’s just more stuff to deal with than what you would think. T2T - What stuff? What makes it more difficult? AO - It’s just different. Most males think they know how to please a female. As a woman, we understand what a female wants. T2T - Where does the violence stem from? AO - The violence stems from when you play with people feelings, their emotions, and their heart. T2T -Where are you right now with your relationships? You men- tioned earlier that you date older women. You’re 19 ½. Is the wom- an you’re currently dating, older? AO - Yes. Most of the women I date are in their late 20s closer to their 30s T2T - Why is that? Why older women? AO - I like how older females carry themselves they don’t say foul thinks or make silly remarks. They know how to carry themselves like a lady. They know they are a woman at all times. They’re not shaking their tails, being all nasty, freaked out, or looking trashy. Some teenage females don’t care what they are putting on. They will walk out of the house with holes in their pants. Most females today don’t even care about their appearance they would rather ad- vertise their body. Basically, older females are classy not trashy. T2T - How would you feel about a child in the relationship? AO - My significant other would like to have more kids and we
20 T2T
“I like how older females carry themselves they don’t say foul things or make silly remarks”
have talked about adoption. I’ve watched the show Teen Mom when the teenage mother was delivering the baby and it looks very painful. If I had to do it, I would carry & deliver the baby and have natural child birth. T2T - Was there ever a time in your childhood or pre-teen years, you were inappropriately touched? AO -Yeah, I was. I wasn’t going to bring it up. I mean you can forgive but you will never forget. I was told to forgive, but don’t forget. Those who do wrong it will come back to them in the long run. T2T - Very true. Do you feel had that never happened to you when you were younger would your choice in sexual orientation have been different? AO -Way before it happened I did like boys. But, I al- ways still had more of an attraction to girls than boys. T2T - For all the female teenagers & college students that will read this article and they want to share with their parents they are attracted to the same sex. What advice would you give them on how they should tell their parents? AO - I recall there was time I was playing around with my Mom. I said to my Mom “What If I liked girls?
How would that make you feel? If you have a tough, strict Mom or parents and you can’t talk to them. Seek other family members a sister or close cousin. In the beginning, I would talk to my sister and cousin. My sister always knew something was going on. My brother was like, “What the hell? Why? AO - It’s not how you say it or tell them. As long as you get the message through to your parents regardless of what you do. They are not going to stop loving you. They may dislike the things you do; however, you say it just you get the message to them. They will still love you. T2T - It sounds like you had a great support system at home. AO - Yes, I did. I mean it’s going to be tough. If this is who you are and that’s what you want to be. Then you have to stick it out. You can’t let someone change your mind about it. Another thing, people think because you go to church it’s a sin-because you’re gay. That is not a sin. You’re still going to church. You’re still praising God. Where in the bible is that a sin? I just believe your sexuality is a sin. T2T - You said, you believe your sexuality is a sin (clarification). AO - I believe God doesn’t believe in girls going with girls. That’s a sin. You can still go to church, praise God, and do whatever you want to do. Regardless, of how people look at you. You are a hu- man being just like they are, but we do the same things differently.
For More Information on living your life as a gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and/or transgender teenager, visit the Sexual Mi- nority Youth Assistance League-www.smyal.org.