I Need My Lovers

Tyrone describes the effects of his relationships with men and his view of sexuality.

This report is from the publication ‘Boys speak out!’ by the American man/boy love advocacy organization NAMBLA. The book can be ordered on the organization’s website.

Source: Boys speak out on man/boy love; NAMBLA; fourth (enlarged and expanded) edition; July 1996


I Need My Lovers

I am a 16-year-old black male. I don’t intend to tell my life story in this statement (but I probably will), but I do want to help clear up a controversial issue – Men and Boys.

I am now 16, and wihtout the help of my friends, gay responsible men, I don’t know where I would be right now. I moved out of my house when I was 15 and I dropped out of school at about the same time. If it weren’t for some of the men I know, I would have been living on the streets during those 2 months. (I now live at home, a happier and more understanding life, and I’m returning to school this fall.) I learn a lot about the world through gay men and that makes me a better person in the long run, ready for my adult life … when it comes. One of my lovers who I have known for almost 2 years, takes me out the the movies, to nice restaurants. This gives me more experience than my mother could ever give me. She’s more of a McDonald’s person. Which is fine, if you like garbage. I need my lovers, who give me psychological support about being gay. They help me to understand it.

I hope to live to see the day when these relationships are just a part of normal everyday life. On occasions I wish I could show some affection to my lover, a hug, holding hands, etc., but I don’t dare to be sneered at by some straight assholes. They just don’t realize what they are missing. I know, I used to be straight myself. It’s boring after a while. I think that it is really ignorant of straight people to be so uninterested in gay sex. The whole world should be bisexual!

Tyrone
New York