Dimples: Age 18, Brooklyn

I feel that being a lesbian has its up side and down side. We should be able to walk in the streets hand in hand like straight people, but many times we're not. Even though some see it as wrong and others don't care; it really shouldn't matter what they think because it's nobody's business. If straight people can walk down the street hand in hand, what's so wrong with two women or two men walking down the street hand in hand?

The idea of lesbian and gay people makes people's true colors come out. When some people start expressing their feelings about who we are, they feel like they can say and do anything they want. I was riding on the train with my girlfriend one night and the car was empty. These two guys got on and started trying to talk to us. Both of them were saying, " I've got a hundred dollars in my pocket, so what's up? Come with us." I told them to leave us alone, we were just going home and wanted to be left alone. They started cursing us, calling us "dykes", and getting in our faces because we didn't want to go with them. It was really scary because we were alone and all it takes is one little thing to set something off. Thank God, they finally left us alone

Some people say that all you need is the right man and that God doesn't like it when two women love each other. But I think that God brought us on this earth to be happy. I don't think He would want us to come into the world to be alone, and unhappy and be unsatisfied. He would want us to learn more about ourselves and be happy with who we are and who we love. I feel that God is with me 100% no matter who I choose to be with.

I wish there was something I could say to change how people behave and think, but there isn't. If they want to act stupid and say dumb things, then that's probably what they'll do their entire lives.

My wish for me and my girlfriend is to get a place of our own and to be able to live a long, happy, and safe life together. We've talked about having a kid but that will have to wait until the future.

As for all the gay youth out in this world or for the people who have doubts about being yourself, just know that being lesbian or gay is not a disease. It's a wonderful thing. It feels great to not miss out on who you are. If you know how you feel and are afraid of what others will think or do, just go for it and let their negative thoughts fall behind you.