When Shakespeare wrote, "To be, or not to be?" in Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, most scholars agree that he was questioning whether or not life was worth living.

Hamlet seems to be considering the attractions of death ("not to be"), which he compares to sleep, over life ("to be"), whose pain seems unavoidable.  Hamlet isn't the only person that struggled with this question.  Many gay teenagers ask themselves that same thing every day of their young lives.  To be, or not to be; that is the question 

According to a recent study by the National Center for Health Statistics, suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24.  According to the same study, 5 out of every 8 suicide attempters were gay or bisexual.  In other words, gay or bisexual youth are 13.6 times more likely to have attempted suicide than heterosexuals.   
             
I've been given an opportunity through this column to reach out to the gay youth of our community.  I hope that, through my own life experiences, I can offer words of hope and encouragement to gay youth who are struggling with the same issues I've overcome and challenges that I continue to face.   I spent most of my adolescence fighting thoughts of suicide because of my struggle with my sexuality.  If I help one young person through my words then my efforts are worth the paper this magazine is printed on.    
            
I would like to thank every person who wrote me after my last column, An Open Letter to Tim Hardaway, was published.  Though each note was encouraging, the letters and emails from other young people meant the most to me.  Your stories have inspired me to be more honest about the person I am and your words have reinforced my thoughts that being gay is who I am.  Please send your emails, thoughts, even questions; latino_boy_geo@yahoo.com. 

If you need to talk to someone because you are depressed or thinking that life is not worth living, please call my friends at the Trevor Helpline:  866-488-7386.  
             
To be, or not to be?   I CHOOSE TO BE! I choose to be honest.  I choose to be happy.  I choose to be healthy.  I choose to live life to the fullest.  That is my answer to the question Hamlet asked.

Geo Bustamante is the associate editor, writer, and photographer for GaySoFla Online Magazine. Geo is 21 years old and has a passion to encourage other young gay in living a fulfilling and meaningful gay lifestyle. He can be reached through his MySpace page by CLICKING HERE.