5.7.99

I am told this was written anonymously by a suicidal high school student. It comes from a posting from a news group that I'm an active member of--here goes:
(ed note--sorry about the all caps. It's something odd in the coding)
MY FATHER ASKED IF I AM GAY
I ASKED, "DOES IT MATTER?"
HE SAID "NO NOT REALLY."
I SAID "YES."
HE SAID "GET OUT OF MY LIFE."
I GUESS IT MATTERED.

MY BOSS ASKED IF I AM GAY
I ASKED, "DOES IT MATTER?"
HE SAID "NO NOT REALLY."
I TOLD HIM "YES."
HE SAID "YOU'RE FIRED, FAGGOT."
I GUESS IT MATTERED.

MY FRIEND ASKED IF I AM GAY
I SAID, "DOES IT MATTER?"
HE SAID "NOT REALLY"
I TOLD HIM "YES."
HE SAID, "DON'T CALL ME YOUR FRIEND"
I GUESS IT MATTERED.

MY LOVER ASKED, "DO YOU LOVE ME?"
I ASKED, "DOES IT MATTER?"
HE SAID "YES."
I TOLD HIM "I LOVE YOU."
HE SAID "LET ME HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS."
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE SOMETHING MATTERS.

MY GOD ASKED ME "DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?"
I SAID, "DOES IT MATTER?"
HE SAID "YES."
I SAID, "HOW CAN I LOVE MY SELF? I AM GAY."
HE SAID, "THAT IS WHAT I MADE YOU,
NOTHING AGAIN WILL EVER MATTER."