Hey everyone! I'm not exactly sure when I first met a gay person, but I know when I became close with one for the first time.  When I went to STRIPES the summer before my freshman year, I knew that a person from my high school named Robert was going to be there, too.  I did not really know him very well, but people had speculated that he might have been gay.  No one knew for sure, but I didn't know him well enough to make a judgement one way or the other.  He was the only person I knew at STRIPES, so I hung out with him and got to know him a little better.  By the end of the week, I knew he was gay.  He had made enough comments to me throughout the program for me to catch the hint.  The truth is that it didn't really bother me.  We started to hang out once we got to college, and now I consider him one of my best friends.  We hang out every chance we get, and if we aren't with each other we text and talk on the phone constantly.  I tell him about my boy problems, and he tells me about his.  I'm really glad he's one of my best friends because I feel like our friendship has benefitted me in so many ways.  I feel like I'm so much more accepting of different lifestyles after getting to know him and learning about his life.  When he tells me about any inappropriate encounters with other men, I don't even consider it abnormal behavior even though it's two people of the same sex.  I go to the gay bar with him and don't even flinch when I see boys and girls dancing with members of the same sex.  It has also helped me realize how big of an advocate I am for gay marriage, and I know I'll do whatever I can to make it happen because I want my best friend to be happily married someday.  Although I can't say exactly when I first encountered a gay person, I can tell you when I finally got to know one, and it turned into an awesome friendship that I am so greatful for.