bardaghohio's Blogs

Like almost everyone here, I first came to this site for the videos...great collection of videos featuring the barely-legal young men that I find so attractive. But, a funny thing happened...met a young man named Ruslan (Alex17 is his page), who's trying to change the world, and has set up his wall as a place where other gay-youth can help each other get through the shit that life so often hands us. He's an amazing young man, and it's just wonderful watching all of the incredible guys there helping each other. As for me, well, I'm far from a gay-youth, but, of course, I was one once, a long time ago. Ruslan has asked me to post an occasional tidbit about the time I was a gay-youth, just as an example of how far we've come, and how far we still need to go. But, I participate on Ruslan's wall for other reasons, as well. First of all, there are times when younger folks *do* need to hear from us "old farts," if for no other reason than to know that it DOES get better. Secondly, after my 10-years in the Navy, I went to the University of California, Berkeley, and San Francisco State University, and got degrees in Clinical Psychology, Adolescent Psychology and Human Sexuality; I then worked for quite a while as a gay-youth counselor. I've done everything from basic counseling to emergency crisis intervention and if there's anything I can do to assist anyone here, you have but to ask. As well, I'm active on Ruslan's wall to act as a bit of a backstop for *him*...someone he can turn to with questions as well as someone to simply talk to if he starts to feel overwhelmed by it all. I have immense respect for Ruslan and for what he's doing...but, all counselors know that they need someone whom they can "unload" on...otherwise, we tend to keep things bottled up inside US, and we're soon of no use to anyone. Finally, I'm participating in Ruslan's site to help make sure it remains a very safe place for gay-youth to come and post their comments, suggestions or problems. So, if I can offer any help to anyone here, feel free to post a comment here, on my wall, on Ruslan's wall, or in a private message...I promise to do whatever I can to help.