So, here's the topic. What is it like being gay and at school Somethin Else, a television production company, is conducting background research for a TV documentary about what it's like to grow up gay in Britain. As part of their research, they would like to get a discussion going on the subject. Why not share your story and join this discussion. If you are in the UK and want to get involved in the documentary, you can contact Ruth on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 020 7250 5543.

You can also indicate whether you would like to get involved in your reply to the post, indicating your permission for The GYC to pass your email address (only) to the producers of the show who will contact you. All phone calls and emails will be dealt with in confidence and involve no obligation to taking part in the documentary.

Feel free to reply whether or not you are in the UK.

just the same as being straight

Homphobia is only an issue at my school if you're stupid enough to be out. I would prefer to be out but it just wont happen. My school, being in the middle of nowhere, suffers from an infection of narrow-minded morons where anyone who even things of being out is asking to be lynched. The people I do know who are gay/bi/les are as scared as I am. Half the problem is the “fashion-bisexual” crowd that seems to be going around. Claim to be bi and make a huge noise about it, but then when you threaten them with a snog its a whole different ball game.

Dorset, Devon, Cornwall; unless you're in a large town or a city, its not really a good idea.

Thing is, most people think a secret is something that people tell you in confidence so they *can* spread them around as gossip.

Love to participate BTW

I found life to hard until I came out. It was as if I was living a different life and once I came out life was alright I did get some trouble from bullies and it easy to take care of it if you are willing to stand up for yourself and fight.

It's hard but that's because I'm not out. I told one person and that was weird, but I don't think I'd come out to everyone - mostly through fear of my parents finding out.

I'm in sixth form now though and I find most people to be quite accepting. It depends on where you are, but I think people are more open minded these days.

its very hard pretending to be straight in school. but in my school if you dont then u get seriously bullied. ive hid my sexuality throughout high school and im in yr 9 going in yr 10 and im struggling to cope with putting on a front. i know people have suspicions about my sexuality but i dont think i can tell them. homophobia is a big problem at my school. Because it is an all boys school they seem to feel threatened by gay or bisexual people. i think until i am able to stand up for myself more im going to keep it quiet. i have only told one person but she has 2 other bisexual friends and we are very close. i dnt i am going to tell anybody else because my dad is homophobic.

well every one called me gay all the time any way so when i actually told people it was gossip centrel for a few months some geuss even draged me in to the head techers office wanting me kicked out of school

yes, but in the US. i don't know if it's any different to be gay in the UK than the US, but i know it hurts just the same when you are criticized and ridiculed for who you are.

If you were born and grew up in the UK (scotland) and want to contribute some... Can you?

Im living in canada for now and just thought it would be nice to contribute

d.

Personally, where i am, people are quite open minded. I think no matter where you are you're gonna get some trouble off people for being gay, but thats just life.

The reason i havent come out yet is because i don't want to become the token gay guy, who everybody only knows for being gay. I so agree with the guy above who said that theres a bi trend, it seems like all the goths and emos say theyre bi just as a fad, but then that makes it difficult for people who genuinely are gay or bi. Well, at least in my school lol.

I guess the main difference with being gay is that its 10x more difficult to find a boyfriend/girlfriend