Chely Wright

As I write this post, I am listening to Chely's new CD "Lifted Off the Ground". This past weekend I read her new book Like Me. It is one woman's story of growing up knowing she is different, figuring it out as she grew and developed, and finally finding the strength and courage to come out as a lesbian.

Chely tells her story in a non-linear fashion. What may be of most interest here, and relevant, is that she spends a good deal of time detailing her childhood. It is great insight into a little girl's sexuality and her growing awareness of that sexuality.

Chely was a pretty girl (several photos) who grew into one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" for People magazine.

It is my belief that all youth, gay and straight, can benefit from having a CL friend, but more importantly gay and lesbian youth desperately need us. Suicides and murders and abuse of all kinds towards gay and lesbian youth is a national tragedy, one our society has yet to fully address. We could, and can, help make the journey easier for our homosexual youth.