First, a little back story...

I had just finished my sophomore year of college and summer was approaching. As my friends and I prepared to go our separate ways we made a pact; every other week we would email “assignments” that our group would then have to interpret. Based on these topics we would then each make a sculpture or a painting or a piece of music. At the end of the summer we would bundle up our projects, go back to school, and display the artwork. Fun for all.

One of the first projects emailed out was titled “My First Girlfriend.” What was I going to make?

About a month prior to this assignment I had met a hilarious and charming kid named Mike. He was a friend (of a friend) of my girlfriend and I knew that Mike had previously dated a girl before coming out of the closet. I immediately thought to call him. His story would make for a great little documentary on the subject of "My First Girlfriend."

Because I barely knew Mike I was very nervous when I finally decided to call and ask if I could make a documentary about him. I told him how I was pro gay rights (this is before gay marriage was all over the news) and how I thought this film might be a good tool in helping to end discrimination. He liked the idea. In fact, I thought he sounded touched by the concept. Perhaps I was projecting my own feelings into his voice. Either way, the project was begun.

It was finally time to film and I knew how Mike was going to answer all of the questions I prepared. We sat down, I hit record and every thing I asked him was answered with a revelation that changed my perspective on what it is like to be young and gay. I thought that TV, movies and books had explained all that needed to be explained about homosexuality. Nope. In reality I didn’t know anything; the project became more and more fascinating with each answer.

I hope that this video podcast will help to dissolve some of the misunderstandings of homosexuality and I hope that it will help anyone who is young and questioning who they are find the courage to be themselves.

Thanks for watching,
Jeff

Download Part One

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