Gay in an intolerant area..

[Mike]

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about...

I live in Israel and our next-door neighbor has had some words for me, which I have ignored. Now we're not speaking to each other, which I know has something (yet not everything) to do with my being gay.

He's exactly like your neighbor - stupid and ignorant, to say the least and he's interested only in "manly" stuff. I don't want to fight with him, though I won't hesitate, the next time he says something. I am no longer the little boy who would shy away from things like that!

I know your predicament, my friend, I really do... It's awful when disgusting, ignorant people "control" our lives...

I wish I could come and be you friend, so you would not feel alone there.

What I think you should do is - ignore them, try to be as quiet and laconic around them as possible, don't associate with them...
You have to get yourself to be around gay people, who accept you as you are, my friend... and most of all - know that you're the normal one, not them!

Mike...