Ask QC

There are 385 posts for Ask QC, the oldest from July 7, 2007.

Ask QC: I Don’t Want Being Asian & Closeted To Box Me In!

Ask QC: I Don't Want Being Asian & Closeted To Box Me In!

Dear QC readers:

I’m am an Asian 19-year-old college student at a large midwestern university. Physically, I’m not very tall (a few inches over 5 feet), wear glasses, and look slim/average in regular clothes (toned/fit without a shirt ). I tend to come off as quiet and smart most of the time; it’s just the way I am. However, my sexuality places additional pressure on me to inhibit who I am and as a result, I don’t truly let people get to know me. I have been fine with appearing as the smart, shy, cute, kind of boring, Asian nonsexual person in the past, but now I’m tired of being “alone” and viewed as nonsexual. My problem is that due to hiding a part of who I am, I am not meeting new people—both gay and straight.

In the predominantly white university, I know I am at a “disadvantage”. Although I dislike sweeping generalizations, but white people hang out with white people, Asians with Asians, blacks with blacks, Latinos…etc. As a minority within the gay community, it is apparent how attraction can be deeply tied to race. Few people conscientiously choose to be racist, but it’s hard to get away from what you may be used to.

My questions to the community are: Am I destined to be alone as long as I am in the closet? (I’m Asian and Catholic, so the family aspect and religion are a part of why I am not out)

How do you overcome the racial barriers in both the gay community and straight community?

How do I change my nonsexual image? (I know I could probably beef up a bit, but I don’t want to be a person who solely focuses on a person’s physical appearance–my own and others)

How do you present yourself to others while hiding an important detail about who you are?

-Kevin

Kevin’s a younger guy so it makes sense that he’s coming to terms with issues of self-image, sexuality, and social pressures now. But how can he can branch out and meet new sorts of people without disclosing his sexual identity to everyone? Can he meet someone special and friends of other races without letting his ethnicity and the closet get in his way? Please share your advice and experiences in the QComments.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

25 Nov 09 By paperbagwriter 18 Comments

Ask QC: Double Trouble – Do I Have An Oral STI and ED?

Ask QC: Double Trouble - Do I Have An Oral STI and ED?

Dear QC,

I recently had my first sexual experience with another guy (although I had been with girls before). We used a condom for anal, but not for oral (of course). I am only 18, and he is 5 years older than me, but is very sweet. The morning after, I had a sore throat, and a few days later a large red bruise-looking-thing appeared on the roof of my mouth.

All of my friends have agreed that this is not normal. When I asked him if he felt well, he responded that he had been tested recently. I have no clue what I should do. I want to believe him, so what if it came from the last girl I was with? Should I get tested? I
want him to know if I have something like Gonorreah or HPV or herpes or some infection that can be cured.

It’s been a week, and the bruise is still there, and I have trouble speaking. I am afraid to visit the doctor, because I am still in highschool and do not want my parents to know if I had an sti. Any clues what it could be? I heard that sometimes if you suck too hard while giving head, you can injure your mouth. If anyone has had this happen to them, I would be glad to hear of it.

On another note I had no trouble getting an erection while we made out, but as soon as my pants came off, away went my boner. It came back later in the night, but never long enough to cum. I think it might be a result of all the gay-bashing my family has done in my presence, and that I might be mentally killing my boner. Any tips to conquer that problem???

Weird sores and boner trouble are the worst and though the internet’s definitely not the best place to diagnose one’s self, perhaps our readers can help. Has our advice-seeker caught something in his mouth or is he just ill? And how might he reclaim his cock from the boner-killing antics of his homophobic family? Please share your advice and experiences in the QComments.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

19 Nov 09 By paperbagwriter 10 Comments

Ask QC: Are There Celibate Gays?

Ask QC: Are There Celibate Gays?

Dear QC Readers:

I am a 19-year-old gay guy who is scared of having sex. I watch porn and enjoy it but I do not really see myself being in that position. I am very much so attracted to males but having sex just freaks me out. I think that I will be celibate for the rest of my life, but I am afraid of not finding someone just like me. I am scared of this because the gay community seems to be very sexual, (or so I think.) So my question is, can there be gay men who are celibate?

John

As hot as porn is, seeing a bottom get plugged by a monster cock is not always the best introduction to lovemaking. We’re not so sure John’s a true asexual, but should he decide to explore celibacy, will John be able to find another gay guy who’s not just focused on sex? How might he go about finding such guys? Are any of you celibate? If so, why? Please share your thoughts, advice, and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

10 Nov 09 By paperbagwriter 26 Comments

Ask QC: Should I Make A Move On My Close Friend?

Ask QC: Should I Make A Move On My Close Friend?
This one’s a long, but familiar situation. Reading it gave us nostalgia:

Frankly I’m in a dilemma,

I’ve known my friend for a little over four months. He’s a real cool guy who enjoys cars, going out with friends, and hanging over at my place drinking. I have been bi-sexual for the last ten years but have had to be in the closet about it due to my family supporting me through college and their hardcore Republican anti-gay beliefs. As such, I’ve never really gotten to do anything with another man.

I met him when some friends and myself snuck into a pool at night. As I was with a girl, I pretended not to give notice to the new guy with his rich brown skin and tight body. But he assimilated into our group quickly and began hanging out with us far more often. It was then that I realized I was developing feelings for him.

I would really like to get into a relationship with him if he was willing, though even a more open relationship where we just spend time together physically in between girlfriends would make me happy, I find myself feeling like a child with a crush but I can’t figure out if he would be willing to even try sex.

My house is the one where everyone normally gathers before we leave for the night, or if we’re staying in and watching a movie for the night, then we’ll see it at my house and just crash there as a group. Due to some instability at his place, he began staying at my house nearly every night, just crashing on the sofa. Sometimes, his girlfriend would spend the night as well with or without the entire group of friends.

His school schedule also resembled mine so on Tuesdays and Thursdays we just hang out around the house or go and cruise the mall or any of the other sites arounds the city. As I’m bi, I have few problems remarking on the comments he’d make towards a hot girl, and he also adopted the “no homo” phrase when something gay is said or done. At this point, I figured he was just another heterosexual that I could dream about and at most, get to see lounging around my house in a towel while wet. But as time progressed, I started to wonder if I could have a chance.

After about 3 months, I really started to notice that the number of gay things he did and said had increased slightly; also, he wouldn’t always say “no homo” right after doing something. Such as, we have always wrestled; he used to have some problems with fighting, and I can appreciate the activity as a way to make use of some testosterone. During these bouts, I would work extremely hard at not letting my body react to the feeling of him pressing against me. But during a bout one day, he intentionally grabbed my ass when I had him in a hold to try to shock me to let go of him (as I had done once about a month ago). Him doing this didn’t really give me any hopes because I already knew he would call “no homo” and puff himself up for beating me with the trick, but it never came.

Also, when we drive in a car together, he sometimes will randomly place his hand on my leg and squeeze as a joke to try to make me jump. He does it when people are in the car as well, sometimes he immediately follows it with a call of “no homo” and sometimes he doesn’t, if someone in the car jokes around and says something like “please call no homo” he will say it immediately without thinking. I have of course reciprocated this by doing it to him when we were alone and he immediately jumped and pushed my hand away.

Due to some prior conditions with his health, he tends to become injured easily. This means that he sustains far more injuries during our wrestling matches than I do, even though I keep a very close eye on the amount of strength I use. But accidents have still occurred. Three times he has injured his shoulder or neck and I played the sorry friend and offered to massage the areas with medication to help with his soreness. All three times, he accepted to my own gratification as I got to put my hands on his shirtless chest and back. Lately, he has allowed me to stick my arm around his shoulder at home to comfort him (he’s going through a nasty breakup with his girlfriend, I dumped mine from the pool a while back and “haven’t been interested in anyone lately”) and if he’s sitting in a chair eating and I’m talking to him he’s allowed me to go up randomly massage his shoulders while I’m talking to him (granted I haven’t sustained this for long periods of time, probably 20-30 seconds at a time).

We often do some guy nights with just us and a few good drinks and some hookah (it’s a bong with tobacco). During these times we usually just chill outside and talk, we have both shared some personal things and he has gone far enough to share some of his preferences in bed (big surprise here: he enjoys blow jobs and prefers bottom — well with a girl) and his insecurities about the size of his penis. Hes a very “macho” masculine type guy that likes his tough guy/bad ass image when we leave the house to go to a party or anywhere. But when we are alone like on these nights, he opens up and shows that he’s really nice and gentle. He even screams and laughs when you tickle him.

Since he’s been at my house every day for the last few months, it is natural that he also showers at my house. He showers in my bath and has given no verbal dislike to having to use my soaps/shampoos/deodorants/gels—or my clothes (including boxers). Now I promise this is unintentional but my shower curtain is made of a partially see-through material that allows for you to see pretty much everything with a red tint. I have found myself creating excuses to have to go into the bathroom to grab something when he’s showering and he has not ever complained about my knocking and asking if i can come in for blah blah blah. He cannot be unaware that I can see through the curtain as the person showering can also see through it and everything in the room as well. Nor does he cringe in the shower, he usually faces towards me and talks to me from the shower. Acting as the heterosexual friend, I try to not look down and just say what I need to, grab what I need, and get out.

Like any other guys, we enjoy playing some XBOX together when we’re at the house bored. When we play a game like Halo, I always win (though I try to give him a chance sometimes) and when we first met, he did nothing but do a knuckle pound when either of us got a good kill but as time progressed, if I killed him when he had an element of surprise or something of that nature, he would say “bitch” and try to play slap me (we play on the couch [which is L shaped] with our heads towards each other meeting at the vertex). Now, it’s to the point where he play slaps me on pretty much any kill I make on him (which is quite a few) and sometimes goes further to try to put me into a headlock (this is how the wrestling first begins quite often). And I wonder about how he has gotten more and more comfortable touching me, sometimes, the slaps are very soft and he slides his fingers off my face rather than just picking them up.

I also found out that besides his love for hip hop and rap, he actually enjoys a lot of country music and music from the pop genre all the way down to enjoying Britney Spears and Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. He has never really shown interest in reading, but I did get him to admit that he enjoyed the Twilight series as well. About the last thing that really comes to mind is that he shaves… everything. He says he likes shaving his legs because he likes when they feel smooth and his pubes because he likes being hairless.

I have tried to mention most of the little things he does that I note as being opportunities, but then, in order to get honest feedback I feel I must also note the deterrents.

Like most heterosexuals, he has an undeniable infatuation with breasts and has said many vulgar things about women we have passed by or seen online. He dragged me to a website that posted lots of various pictures from funny pics, to teaser pics, to nearly porn pics and commented on the girls viewed there.

He likes the typical heterosexual ribbing on each other by calling each other “fags”, “bitch”, and making crude remarks about anything. I am used to this game, because pretty much any straight guy tends to do this with his buddies; so the behavior is typical. If I manage to get him with a good burn he laughs along with me. He also doesn’t have any problems with using phrases such as “you can suck my dick.”

As I said previously, he dates girls. Though I know he’s not opposed to cheating, his current situation with his girlfriend spawned from him cheating on her with another girl. So I feel sometimes that making a move while he has a girlfriend wouldn’t mean instant rejection just on the basis that he has a girlfriend, but I also worry because he claims to love her very much, and sometimes I would agree with him that he does, and other times, I would say that he should have dumped her long ago.

Besides the jumping from my touch in the car, if I do the leg touch joke, he also shies away from my hand touching him. If it’s any part of me besides my hand, he doesn’t move, but if we are on the couch and my hand casually touches his hand or his leg, he will scoot over.

I have tried to mention nearly anything of consequence in this, though I’m sure some little things escape me.

Please help me, I have considered and pondered my brain into mush trying to figure out whether or not he would be willing to try something with me. He is a player (part of his ‘image’) and so I have thought that my best action might be to try to get him to agree to experimenting a little with me bottoming because I know his macho pride wouldn’t allow him to do much (he won’t even go down on a girl because of it). However two things hinder me: First, I don’t know if he’s willing to try something with a guy. Second, I don’t know how to approach him with my proposal without risking our friendship forever (which I really don’t want to lose). Any light that can be shone on either of my dilemmas would be greatly appreciated.

Jay

There’s a difference between platonic intimacy and romantic intimacy. Wrestling, massages, showers, and Britney Spears doesn’t make someone gay, but it certainly is making Jay wonder if his friend could become a friend with benefits. We’re not sure how old Jay is or whether he’s out to his friend, but regardless, we’re betting a lot of other QueerClickers have been in a similar situation. Please share your advice and experiences to help Jay in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

02 Nov 09 By paperbagwriter 25 Comments

Ask QC: How Can I Make My Penis Bigger?

Ask QC: How Can I Make My Penis Bigger?

Dear QC,

Throughout my whole life so far I thought that my penis size was normal. Only until a few years ago when I saw my first erotic film that I noticed that it was not as long as I want it to be.

There have been many statistics out there saying that the average sizepenis is 6 or 7 inches, though I feel like mine is a little below that. Are there any devices or techniques out there that can enlarge my manhood?

Thanks

Anonymous

Where it’d be hypocritical for us as a porn site to say that size doesn’t matter, we can attest that a big dong doesn’t matter half as much as the man behind it. We’ve already directed anonymous to check out previous Ask QCs like “Is My Cock Too Small?” and “Is Penile Enlargement Safe?”, but are there any safe penis enlargement techniques that he can explore? Please share your advice and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

26 Oct 09 By paperbagwriter 11 Comments

Ask QC: Why Is His Old Breakup Affecting Me?

Do They Have Emotional Baggage Or...?

Dear Queerclick,

I’ve recently dated two guys with whom I hit it off great on the first couple dates, but when they break it off they say that they are not ready to date because of a recent end to a long-term relationship: “My head is not in the right place” and “I need to get my s*** together first” are the lines I’ve gotten. The most recent guy was with his bf for 5 years, and we went out 4 months after they broke up.

I’ve only been dating for a year and so I’ve never experienced a long-term relationship and so I obviously don’t know the emotions associated with the gay equivalent of a divorce.

So my questions are, what is the normal course after a break-up? What is it preventing these guys from committing to dating when there is an obvious chemistry between us? Are they using this as an easy excuse to dump me?

Thanks Guys:)

Chris

Chris has been striking out and hearing the same tune from his men. How do guys get over their exes anyway? And are Chris’ dates being genuine about their post-breakup feelings or are they just using a line to get off the hook? Please share your advice and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

18 Oct 09 By paperbagwriter 12 Comments

Ask QC: Are Big Guys Attracted To Smaller Guys?

Ask QC: Are Big Guys Attracted To Smaller Guys?

I know this question comes off as stupid because there are no such laws of attraction but hear me out first.

From looking at porn and the media, it’s suggested that guys who work out or bigger guys in general are attracted to bigger guys. Most porn sites match body types up but I’m wondering if there are smaller guys out there who have relationships with bigger men.

I’ve always been into jocks and daddies, I also try to work out as much as I can but I haven’t gained much weight. I don’t want to call myself a twink (hate that word) but do muscular guys go for twinks? What’s the deal?

Chris

Seems like Chris wants to hear from twink-bigger guy couples so he can figure out how to snag himself a jock daddy. Does anyone have any tips to help him out? Please share your advice and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

12 Oct 09 By paperbagwriter 21 Comments

Ask QC: Why Can’t I Get Hard Bottoming For Big Dicks?

Ask QC: Why Can't I Get Hard Bottoming For Big Dicks?

Hi there queerclick! I love your site and always love to hear the advice people have, so i thought id ask for some myself.

I’m a 20-year-old gay man who has had a handful of sexual experiences and identifies as a bottom. I’ve dated guys with an average of 6-7 inch dicks and have always loved it… but the last two times I’ve hooked up with guys I haven’t been able to get an erection while bottoming. The only
difference I can think of is that these guys have had HUGE cocks!

If porn, all my friends, and the amount of Enzyte commercials on TV have taught me anything, it’s that I should be in heaven… but I’m kind of hating it. I am absolutly incapable of getting it up and am completly
embarassed. Afterwards the guys act confused like “Everyone loves my huge cock, whats wrong with you?” Then I go home and ask myself the same question.

I’ve seen porn where the bottom isn’t hard, so I wonder if this is a mental or physical issue people have? or am I being a bad bitchy bottom?

Thanks,

Bewildered Bottom

Bewildered Bottom finds himself in a new position. While porn’s not always the best place to learn about “real sex”, Bewildered would rather give his partners a standing ovation than bow out. Does anyone have any hints to help him out? Please share your advice and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

05 Oct 09 By paperbagwriter 10 Comments

Ask QC: My Boyfriend’s Lost In The World Of Warcraft!

Ask QC: My Boyfriend's Lost In The World Of Warcraft!

Some advice?

I love my boyfriend of 3 years. He’s a big teddy bear and we both love comic books, action movies, and video games. But he goes one step further and plays a bunch of online RPGs (Role Playing Games). That’s totally cool with me. A lot of his friends play and it makes him happy. But lately he’s been spending a lot of time playing those games instead of doing things with me and it’s starting to make me feel like he’d be more interested in me if I was a black mage or a berserker elf.

He’s not the most outgoing guy generally. He’s takes Paxil (an anti-anxiety medication) and has panic attacks sometimes when heading to a party if he doesn’t know a lot of people there. I tend to go easy on him even though I’m an actor and keep a fairly busy social life, but I’ve always made time for him and don’t feel like he’s holding up his end of the bargain so much. I’ve tried taking an active interest in his games and even tried playing for a while, but it’s not my thing and he could tell I was just doing it to be nice. He even got a little agitated, I think.

He’s a sweet sensitive guy who cries sometimes when we have serious talks because he thinks he doesn’t deserve me and that I’m gonna leave him. Sometimes I feel like the bad guy because I’m always asking him to be more attentive, but I’m just trying to figure out a way to approach him that doesn’t put him on the defensive. I love him and am fine with the gaming, but five or six hours a day everyday is too much. I wouldn’t mind so much if he made me feel as important as those games, but lately I haven’t. I asked him if he’s depressed: nope. I asked him if something’s bothering him about us: nope. I asked him if he’d like to do something different for a change: nope.

Because we both work full-time jobs we don’t really get to see each other too often. I tend to have rehearsals in the evening and enjoy going out on weekends when he’d rather stay in and play World of Warcraft. So as it is, it feels like we’re spending less and less time together and when we do, it’s usually in the house eating or watching a movie. I don’t think we’re growing apart really. I mean, relationships have exciting periods and boring periods, right? So maybe this is just a boring period. But I feel like it could be more exciting if I just knew how to engage him. What do you think, guys? What should I do?

Drake

Should Drake study to become an elf mage or is there another way to enchant his RPG-playing beau? Love’s a two-way street (or should we say a double-edged bane sword), so how can each half of this duo do their part? We’ve certainly seen our share of WoW addicts and know how involved they can get with online, but how can Drake keep his boy’s interest without hurting his feelings? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

24 Sep 09 By paperbagwriter 15 Comments

Ask QC: A 24-Year-Old With Erectile Dysfunction?

Ask QC: How Can I Prepare For A 9

Hi guys,

Is it possible for a 24-year-old to have erectile dysfunction? Every time I go to have sex it goes soft as fast as it got hard.

Colby J

Though we’ve dealt with going limp before, Colby J’s question has a medical angle to it. Sure, performance anxiety might contribue, but could another boner-killing factor be to blame for Colby’s hardware difficulty? Is there a doctor in the house or someone with a similar experience? What’s Colby’s prognosis and how might he resolve it? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

17 Sep 09 By paperbagwriter 9 Comments

Ask QC: How Do I Start An Open Relationship?

Ask QC: How Do I Start An Open Relationship?

Ask QC,

How the hell do I get into an open relationship? I’m a decent guy but the few times I’ve placed a personal ad saying I’d like an open relationship, the guys who respond act like sleazeballs right off the bat talking about how we can immediately cruise for cock. I don’t want a fuckbud who likes threesomes, I want a fucking boyfriend, a partner who’s OK with the idea of us occasionally fooling around with other guys, together or separately. I’ve tried dating guys and getting to know them before asking the question, but the reaction’s never good. They’re either all like “What? I’m not enough?” or “If you really want that, why are you looking for a relationship?”

Me and my ideal partner would get to know and trust each other and lay ground rules before opening it up. But when am I supposed to bring this up? Bring it up too soon, and I come off like a cock-hound. Bring it up too late, and I ruin things with a guy I like. I hate that. It just seems like it shouldn’t be a big deal. I’m a warm, devoted loving guy who’d be a good boyfriend, I just feel like I won’t be happy unless I’m in an open-relationship… I’m just trying to be honest up front.

Is anyone out there in a good open relationship? I’ve seen some open relationships where one partner’s not into it and the other guy feels guilty for getting side action more than the other guy. I’ve also seen an open relationship where the guys aren’t even really into each other anymore; they’re just like roommates who’re comfortable with each other and using their place as a bachelor pad. I’m confident I could make it work, but how’re you supposed to find a guy who’s into it? I could really use any advice you have.

Looks like he’s in a bind, but how can he find what he’s looking for? When and how are the best ways for him to bring it up? And how can he best establish the importance of finding a good partner before introducing others. Sounds potentially complicated, but maybe it’s easier than he thinks. Do we have any open relationship folks out there who can give him a hand? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

10 Sep 09 By paperbagwriter 29 Comments

Ask QC: Cure For A Stinky Butt?

Ask QC: Cure For A Stinky Butt?

Hi guys,

I’m a 23-year-old guy and I take pride on my tidiness. I always trim and prim myself and also I always wear a cologne and deodorant so that every part of my body smells nice. That’s what I’m known by. People can’t seem to have enough of my soft and clean skin but I have a problem.

The only part that I can’t get to smell nice or at least not smell is my ass. I know it’s supposed to smell but I’ve been with a ton of guys that have an odorless ass. I just want to know about it because I’ve tried everything, even regular deodorant but it still smells bad and I can smell it when I’m having sex and it’s such a turn off.

I don’t know if I should douche or if that’ll work but if you know why or you can help me I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Stinky Butt

Stinky Butt’s screen name summarizes his problem. How can someone get their curry-scented manhole to smell less zesty? In Stinky Butt’s case, soap and deodorant just aren’t cutting it, so what’s the next step? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

03 Sep 09 By paperbagwriter 15 Comments

Ask QC: Training for a 9-Incher…

Ask QC: How Can I Prepare For A 9

Dear QC –

I always enjoy reading your reader advice comments and never thought I’d be asking a question. I can’t find any Google info on this one though and my friends can’t help. I just started dating a guy who’s handsome, has a great job, a good conversationalist, a great kisser—and, much to my surprise, has a 9″ dick that’s as thick as a Red Bull can. We’re both tops—I’m versatile, but don’t think I want to take one that big. That leaves oral, which really makes my jaw sore and it’s hard to keep from nicking him with my teeth. Does anyone have any experience in dealing with this challenge?

Apprehensive

Sounds like Apprehensive needs to loosen up (his jaw and his hole). He appreciates his big fellow, but how can he best work up to giving great head and enjoying a flip-fuck with his hung hottie? Or do two rights make a wrong in the case of dual tops? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

27 Aug 09 By paperbagwriter 14 Comments

Ask QC: My Family Hates Gays (Like Me)

Ask QC: My Family Hates Gays (Like Me)

Hello,

I’m 22-years-old and a few months ago I came out to my mother. I have known for many many years that I was gay and spent too long in the closet. I grew up in a conservative home but I thought my family would understand (though I still feared being rejected). I became so depressed that I just gave up and came close to suicide. But my friends showed me that it was not all bad; they didn’t care about my sexuality and I found happiness with them.

I have a good relationship with my mother and so I thought it was best to come out to her first. However, the response was quite devastating. I told her how depressed I’d been and how I only ever felt right liking boys not girls. That made her cry. She said I was sick (she said I had a mental illness) and that I should go to a doctor. Then she said I couldn’t be gay because no one else in my family was gay and she “knew” it was all genetic.

I told her nothing about me had changed, only her perspective on me. She got angry and ordered me to never tell anyone else. She told me to find a woman to cure me and when I was cured I would see how idiotic I was for thinking I was gay. I argued that it doesn’t work that way. Then she brought up religion and told me I was going to go to hell because homosexuality was against everything Jesus and God taught. We both cried for a bit and then she gave me an ultimatum: change or she’d be out of my life forever. She insinuated that she would commit suicide because she was a proud person and could not bear to face the shame. I told her pride was one of the seven deadly sins and she said she didn’t care.

I haven’t come out to anyone else since I told her. Several members of my family have told me directly that they don’t want me to be gay or else… I don’t know. I know my father would hate me if he knew. Every time he sees a gay couple on TV he says they’re disgusting and changes the channel. My sisters seem like they might understand but I thought the same of my mother. My sister’s boyfriend is an outspoken homophobe. He tells me gay people (men in particular) should be put in jail or, better still, killed. He said he would kill his own son if he turned out to be gay. It’s all very emotionally crippling.

I haven’t ever been out with a guy because I’m afraid that someone will see me with a guy and tell my family. I’m finding myself becoming depressed again and I really don’t want that. I’m afraid that coming out will destroy my family and me. On the other hand, remaining silent will consume me. I don’t know what to do. My mother pretends that I haven’t said anything believing I will listen to her and find a woman. Being gay feels right to me and I can’t compromise who I am. But in keeping silent is compromising me. I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford to move out but I’m working towards it.

My family hasn’t had an easy life by any means. They have sacrificed so much for me and I feel like I owe them everything. Basically, I have no fucking idea of what to do. Should I just come out and risk destroying my family’s life, risk my mother killing herself? I can’t stay in the closet forever but I feel as though I may have to. I’m sick of feeling like shit every day.

What the hell should I do???

Joseph

Joseph’s stuck in a hard situation with an emotionally abusive family. He’s 22 and slowly coming out, but he could potentially sever important family ties in the process. What options does Joseph have to stay true to himself while getting the support he needs? And how should his family life factor into his decisions? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

Continue with “Ask QC: My Family Hates Gays (Like Me)”

20 Aug 09 By paperbagwriter 35 Comments

Ask QC: Are Asians Anyone’s Cup Of Tea?

Ask QC: How Do I Start An Open Relationship?

So, I had taken myself completely out of the dating scene for over a year after a very ill-advised relationship as well as some memorable long-term ones. I felt I needed to really grow up and get to know me as ‘Me’ before I became a “We.”

Anyway, after years of fighting against it and peer pressure, I thought it was time I tried my hand at online dating. Seemed like a logical answer to my dry spell. After 1 month, no hits. I figured, these things take time and I should be really patient. After 2 months, I got a bit anxious and thought, “Hmmm? Guess my profile isn’t juicy enough”. So, I had a bunch of friends critique my profile to see if there was any improvement I needed. Done.

After about the third month after I finally got a couple of hits, I decided to really read a few of the profiles from guys I thought I’d be interested in (and some I wouldn’t be interested in). I had finally discovered what was the problem. Under, “Your type should be”… the answer was staring me in the face…..”sorry, not into Asians….” or “Caucasian, Hispanic, Black.”

After reading through a bunch of profiles, I was completely offended and a bit hurt. I know on some level people didn’t feel that Asians weren’t their type. I mean, I had non-Asian friends tell me to my face that Asians weren’t their type. I figured, well everyone has a type and why should I be angry?

However, after all of this, I’m starting to feel like perhaps I may never date again because my race isn’t considered ‘marketable’. The worse part is, my own kind (not all, but some) won’t even date me.

I’ve had several boyfriends some white, some Hispanic, even a few Asians thrown in the mix. The older I get though, I crave what everyone wants—a partner.

I’m finally in a place where I really know who I am and like myself. I can’t change my ethnicity nor would I want to. I live in Toronto, a city that prides itself on being mutli-cultural.

I guess my question is, how am I supposed to find someone if I’m basically considered a leper in my own community? Should I consider this an indication of everyone’s attitude towards me and just accept that my life will probably be spent in solitude?

Thanks in advance,

Proud2BAsian

Online dating can be tough on your self-esteem but Proud2BAsian raises a valid point: how can you personally connect with someone when so many guys seem hung up on race? Is there another way Proud2BAsian can go find a mate? How can continue feeling proud while increasing his chances of finding someone who’ll appreciate his uniqueness? Please share any advice and experiences that might help in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems!

13 Aug 09 By paperbagwriter 44 Comments

Ask QC: What’s Up With Pube Shaving?

Ask QC: What's Up With Pube Shaving?

Dear QC,

I must be from the “old school”, but I would hope not at 47. I would like input from members as to why it is so popular for guys to shave their pubes!! I personally love to see a guy with his natural “bush” in effect and I dont understand what the craze is with the shaving! Can someone tell me definitively what the answer is???????????

Regards,

Caybpu

That many question marks he’s got to be mad curious and several of us on Team Orange want to know as well. What are your reasons for trimming or preferring trimmed bush? Please share your opinions and experiences in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send ’em to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to solve your problems or sate your curiosity!

06 Aug 09 By paperbagwriter 39 Comments