You are Doogie Howser, M.D., and you will remain officially so for four years, and unofficially so, to some extent, for the rest of your natural life. - Neil Patrick Harris

Some would say you were in a closet. Some would say you didn’t even know you were in a house. The “truth” about a person’s sexual preference is often revealed through a long journey of tiny steps, and acceptance is one of the last ones. It’s an individual story for every person. There are unique personal prejudices in everyone, created by our families, our social circles, and mostly by ourselves. It’s tough to confront those things that you are afraid of in yourself.

Summer doesn't seem to come fast enough, but finally Mom and Dad drop you off, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed*, at NMSU.

*Not really. You're prepubescent, so no bush.

(Friends, take note: Sometimes, your audience isn’t going to respond the way you’d like them to. Most times, you can’t escape by running off stage and hiding, so it’s a good idea to learn to let words roll off you, like water off a duck’s back.)