Lots of teenage girls have taken comfort under the wings of half-closeted gay boys.

It is a testament to my parents that they never reacted negatively to the four-year-long pride parade that marched through their house.

Because, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I was embraced by the gays. They loved me and praised me. I was funny and so mean and mature for my age!

One family, two impressively gay brothers.

I had to face the fact that I had been using my gay friends as props. They were always supposed to be funny and entertain me and praise me and listen to my problems, and their life was supposed to be a secret that no one wanted to hear about. I wanted them to stay in the “half closet.