Be Heard

"My name is RJ . I'm 51-years-old and only came out when I was 49. I knew I was "different" (I didn't know what gay was at that time) at a very young age (5-years-old). It was not sexual for me, I just knew that I preferred to be with boys and liked to play with Barbies as well as GI Joes. In fourth grade, a boy named Bob M. asked me if I was gay. It was 1974 and I was quite naive.

" I posed for NOH 8 to represent my fellow masculine females in the Lesbian community , and overall to show my support for equality for the LGBTQ community."

"For every Knight who grew up looking for his Prince. #NOH8"

"Don't put a label on the record." That is one of 15 "Safe Space Rules" used by the organization I work for which supports LGBTQ youth ages 14-24. I posed because even though I'm gay, I often get told I don't " look " gay. What's important is I look like ME! I try to impart that attitude to the youth I work with each day. Be , dress and live with who YOU are comfortable with

"I have always been inspired by the NOH 8 Campaign as an aspiring teacher , so I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the open photo shoot in Scottsdale . I have forever taken to heart what we all learned in elementary school… The Golden Rule . Bullying in any form is not acceptable & I look forward to when I can teach & model the principles of equality in