just a lovely taste of the BRILLIANT born this way blog…

A photo/essay project for gay adults (of all genders) to submit childhood pictures and stories (roughly ages 2 to 12), reflecting the memories and early beginnings of their innate LGBTQ selves. See how nurture allows what nature endows. And it’s their nature, their truth! BORN THIS WAY BLOG

Jose, age 3
Oaxaca, Mexico (1973)

I have very nice memories from this period in my life. I was living with my grandparents, and they spoiled me rotten. And there was a neighbor boy my age, who would pose with me in the same positions as in my uncle’s adult magazines. We had no idea what we were doing, but all I know is that I wanted to!

I’m now in a 10-year relationship with three kitties, and I work as a nurse.

Patrick, age 7
Paris, France (1971)

Growing up, I remember photographers going around with wild animals on the Italian beaches, to get people to have their picture taken with them. They then gave you a card and you’d go to pick up the picture. I found this one in my grandmother’s treasure chest last summer, after she died. Although I had forgotten everything about it, the picture brought back memories: It was my first encounter with a hairy creature trying to kiss me!

I was thrilled and afraid. But in the end, I let him kiss me.

Jackie Beat, age 8
Scottsdale, AZ (1971)

I remember my mom dressing me up in these fabulous late ’60s/early ’70s outfits that were really only appropriate for an adult appearing in a production of
“The Boys In The Band.” But I loved being fashionable! Especially as I got a little older and became a full-fledged teenager.

Josef, age 12
Košice, Slovakia (1992)

Growing up in Slovakia, I always knew that I was gay. I was interested in fashion, experimenting with my hair styles, and I was a big Madonna fan and collector. I always remember being interested in boys, and I had a shirtless photo of David Hasselhoff that I treasured.

Barry, age 5
Sherman Oaks, California (1976)

This was my first time in (public) drag. I always loved to turn my bathrobe into a hula skirt and use my bathrobe tie to make Native American pigtails.

Aimee, age 8
Portland, Oregon (1981)

Hello! My name is Aimee and I was born this way in Oregon.

The closest professional football team was the Seattle Seahawks, and although my brother was given a San Francisco Giants uniform, I was the only one to wear mine daily.

Chase, age 6
Oklahoma City, OK (1986)

As the youngest of 3, and the only boy, I idolized my sisters while growing up in Oklahoma. When my eldest sister was trying out for cheerleader, the routine was choreographed to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. When no one was watching I’d sneak into her room, give her pom poms a whirl, and do the routine. And dare I say it — even better than my sister.

Remiel, age 8
Otago, New Zealand (1997)

I love this photo, because it was a victory for me. It meant I was going to attend the Cub Scouts with the other boys, instead of the Brownies with the girls. Yup, back then this cheeky chappie was a girl.

Thomas, age 2
Toledo, OH (1992)

I should ask Tyra Banks for my check, as I was clearly smiling with my eyes first! I was the boy that wanted to be the mom when playing house. I was the boy in your daughter’s room playing with her Barbies, who turned your bed comforter into a Haute couture gown, and who performed “Proud Mary” for a talent show.

Lauren, age 4
Atlanta, Georgia (1995)

I might not have known at age 4 that I was a lesbian, but I knew by the time I turned 8-years old that I was beginning to wonder why I wasn’t like my cousin, Alex. All I wanted to do was wear boy’s clothes like him, play with action figures like him, and to talk about my girl crushes like he did.

GO TO BORN THIS WAY… NOW!