My name is Marc. I’m 25 and I am proudly gay. As a kid, I wasn't exactly the usual boy. Sure I loved my toy cars and I liked to play video games but that was only one side of me. The other side of me loved to go to my neighbor’s house and try on all of her dresses, gowns and high heels and walk around the house and act like a beauty queen. That side of me also liked to play paper dolls and barbies with my cousins and dress them up and do their hair. I liked to play dress up with them and try on all the girly clothes and accessories. I thought it was normal and I don’t care what people think of me. I am just a kid who wants to do things that makes me happy. Growing up and discovering that I am gay is perhaps one of the scariest and most confusing times of my life, and it’s hard. I was physically, mentally and socially tortured because of it. My hardest time was in 3rd grade when my father noticed that I am not the son he wanted to have and almost killed me. Thank God, I had my cousin and my Grandma who was there for me so everything turned out fine despite the fury-they sheltered and spare me from the harsh realities in the real world. It’s hard being me, but I love every second of my life.People didn't understand me. I was made a laughing stuff because the world wasn't ready for change. I was ridiculed, humiliated and scared.It was a rough time for me, but my friends and family are there for me and always will be. They took me from that dark place in my life and made it better. I’m making it through. Im on the right track baby. I was born this way! So I live to believe and make everyone know that my expression of individualism must be embraced and never should be shackled into pieces.