Charlie: Age 21, Bronx

In four years I came so far. When I was 14, my family kicked me out of my house for being gay. I was homeless and just trying to survive and stay in school. I was forced to leave two different schools because they found out I was gay. Four years later, in October of 1999, President Clinton invited fourteen youth leaders from around the country to come to the White House to give him recommendations on dealing with youth violence. There I was sitting across the table from the President telling him how to help lesbian and gay youth.

I told the President that our love is not legal. There aren't any legal recognitions or protections for it. When heterosexuals look at someone who they think is gay, they sexualize it and make it seem perverse. We aren't seen as human.

I found out about Hetrick-Martin when two trainers came to my 9th grade class to lead a workshop on human sexuality. I was so nervous; I didn't want anyone to see me take the pamphlet and find out that I was gay. After about five months, I finally got up the courage to go to HMI.

One of the youth told me about the Youth Initiatives programs. At first I just joined for the money. I was 15 and living on my own, just trying to make it. I had so much anger, but doing youth leadership helped me. It helped me care about who people were and where they were coming from.

My thinking is totally different after meeting with President Clinton. I know that if I could make it through homelessness and change the things that happened to me, I believe everyone can do it. That trip to the White House gave me insight and strength to keep going. I feel like there are no limits for me.