Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2000 09:47:27 -0500
From: fsw <fsw99@mindspring.com>
Subject: Matt and Mike Chapter 16

Warning! This story contains sex between minor boys. If you are underage,
this is illegal in your country, or do not like this type of story, please
do not read this.

			       MATT and MIKE

			      Chapter Sixteen

When Matt and Mike were forced out of their school and on to college, the
other four boys were devastated. They didn't want to reveal their sexuality
and face the same abuse, but they felt bad for their friends.

Andy and Jeff walked up to a crowd of their friends who were discussing
Matt and Mike leaving school.

"Anyway, I am glad the two faggots are gone. We don't need any of their
kind around here.", said Jerry, who was on the junior varsity football
team.

"Yeah", someone else said.

Jeff couldn't take it. "Oh, so they were your friends before you found out
they were gay, and now they are the scum of the earth, huh?", Jeff
asked. Adam and Jeff were on the same team with Jerry, and knew him pretty
good.

"What's up with you? Are you gay, too, or something?", Jerry asked, looking
around at all his admirers for support.

"No, I'm not.", Jeff lied. "But, they were my friends before they came out,
and they are still my friends afterwards. I liked them before. I like them
now. They both have gone through a lot of bad times, and now their friends
have all abandoned them. Andy and I both did too, at first. A lot of kids
think they will be thought of as gay if they even associate with a gay
kid. Andy and I both felt the same way.  So, we stayed away. I know that
hurt both of them. The only crime they have committed is they love each
other. Is that so bad? They are both the same people you were friends with
before all of this started. You liked them before. Now, you hate them? Come
on, grow up. If you think that way, at least keep your opinions to
yourself. Otherwise, I am going to have a problem with what you are saying,
and I don't think you will like what happens next.", Jeff added, his hands
balling up into fists.

Jerry looked at Jeff with his mouth hanging open. This was the longest
speech anyone had ever heard Jeff say at one time. "OK, OK, don't get so
pissed off. Maybe, I was wrong.", Jerry said.

"Yeah, everyone was wrong, not just you.", Andy said, walking between Jeff
and Jerry, and defusing the situation. "Matt and Mike are gone now. We
can't make it up to them. But, I'll bet there are a lot of kids around here
who think they might be gay, and are so afraid that someone will find out
and treat them like Matt and Mike were treated. They have no choice but to
hide their real side, and feel like they are alone in the world. That is
why so many gay kids end up committing suicide. They feel like it is them
against the world, and they can't take it. Jeff and I have decided to start
a new club. We have already talked with the principal. He thinks it is a
good idea. We haven't named it yet. I don't know, maybe "Teens Against
Abuse". We will work on the title. It will give kids a chance to speak out
and say what they really feel. Not just about being gay. Anything. Racial
Discrimination. Sexual discrimination. I think you need to come, so you can
understand a little more about what they can go through. Also, you are kind
of cute. Give me a kiss, baby.", Adam added, pretending to kiss Jerry.

Jerry avoided him, and blushed crimson. Everyone laughed out loud.

"See, I thought Jerry might be gay. Look how he is blushing. Now, we ought
to spread a rumor around school about Jerry. That is how it started with
Matt and Mike. And then, all of us started the gay bashing.  Gay bashing
doesn't have to be beating them up. That lasts for a short time.  What is
worse, is when all their old friends turn on them, or avoid them. That is
what Jeff and I did, and we both wish we could go back in time and be there
for them. But, we didn't. Now, we want to make up for it. And, we
will. Everyone, look out for the posters around school announcing the new
club. Encourage all of your friends to come to at least one meeting.", Adam
said.

The crowd had increased in size as the conversation took place. Everyone
could hear different new conversations starting about what Jeff and Andy
had said. The rumors started spreading. Not about Jerry. About the new
club, and what it represented. All of a sudden, gay bashing almost came to
a halt in their school. Understanding prevailed. It didn't happen
overnight, but more progress was felt every day.

Andy and Jeff kept up their crusade. They spoke to kids around school
whenever they could get them to listen. The starting quarterback on the
varsity football team heard them one day, and also voiced his opinion for
the club. That seemed to be the big ice breaker. Everyone knew he wasn't
gay, as he had intimate knowledge of almost every pretty girl in the senior
and junior class.

The club was a hit. They had to find bigger and bigger meeting places as
the attendance grew.  After about a month, they finally had to get
permission to use the auditorium.

More and more kids started coming out. Jeff and Andy led the way. Jim or
Rob still couldn't gather up the courage to do so. Jim's father was clearly
anti-gay in the remarks he made around Jim, so Jim felt he could never come
out. Rob wasn't so sure. He just felt he couldn't right now.

It was now accepted that to be gay was not some disease, and was accepted
by their friends. It was almost like it was a status symbol to be gay or
even thinking about being gay, because it got you the attention that you
had always craved. If you were gay, you now had people coming up to tell
you that they thought it was OK, and they supported you, even if they had
never been a close friend before. The school atmosphere totally changed.

Matt and Mike had created a legacy. Not that they got to enjoy it much. At
least their old friends would come up and speak to them when they saw them
at the mall or around town. But, their lives now centered around working to
make ends meet and going to college. So, they didn't go to many of the
places they used to hang out.

But, they still had each other, and nothing anyone could do could change
that. And people did try.

     To Be Continued

Any reader's comments or criticisms are appreciated. The more comments I
get, the quicker I will forward more chapters. Again, I am trying to tell
the story using actual facts, but I do insert parts of the story that did
not really happen. The boys always give me permission, before I submit my
version. I hope you like this method of telling a story. Any comments can
be sent to fsw99@mindspring.com. The only gratification I really get out of
writing is your comments. I have made good friends out of Matt and Mark,
and could use some more.