Port Orchard, Washington
‘This was taken just before Ethan started college. He was thrilled to be going because his mother had married a man who wasn’t accepting of his sexuality. He loves Leonard Cohen, really melancholic music, hence the accordion’
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
Aurora, CA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
Miami, Florida
‘Brandon was such a character, so expressive and so comfortable in his own skin. I don’t think I was like that at his age; I really don’t think I know anyone who was. I doubt he questioned his sexuality for a minute. That’s rare’
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
San Angelo, TX
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
Seattle, WA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
Middlebury, VT
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
San Francisco, California
‘When I tell people JR is a girl they’re shocked,’ says Sharkey. ‘I like to subvert expectations'. JR knew she was gay when she was 12 and fell for her classmate, but was only found out when her friends saw a photo of her girlfriend in her wallet
Photograph: Michael Starkey
Glastonbury, CT
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
San Francisco, CA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey
Orinda, California
‘I shot these guys before their prom. Tanner came out when he was about 13 but it’s still amazing to see two kids brave enough to go to prom as a gay couple. In my day, that wouldn’t have been allowed’
Photograph: Michael Sharkey