Q: I am 13 year old guy and i am am into guys and girls. i don't know what to do and i am very shy about it and i can't just say it my friends that know are always bringing me down and i just wanna stay true to who i am but i ask myself should i? or should i not? and just for get about all atractive guys and live my life going straight? i am just trying to live the right life. Is it "ok" to be bi-sexual?
A: It's absolutely okay to want both guys and girls. It's okay to be shy about it and not want to make yourself vulnerable to criticism yet. You can be true to yourself and be quiet about it. Thirteen is a tough age. Teens can be incredibly mean to each other. Your first job is to keep yourself safe, physically and emotionally. You don't have to "forget about it" to be cautious about what you tell people until you're a little older. If you're looking for more information on experiences like yours, and you're shy, you might appreciate reading some of the many excellent stories out there, fiction and non-fiction, about gay and bisexual teens. There are books and books and books of the stuff, and your librarian will not tell *anyone* what you're checking out. (It's in the professional code: your books are your business.) I'm including a link to a list of books you might go look for. I particularly like Chris Crutcher's books, and a book of short stories called "Am I Blue?"