Young (gay) Americans - in pictures

Ethan 19
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

Demarques 18
Aurora, CA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

Brandon 20
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

Jonathan 20
San Angelo, TX
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

Mandy and Keenan 18 & 17
Seattle, WA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

Liz 20
Middlebury, VT
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

JR 19
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

Patrick 21
Glastonbury, CT
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

Raul 18
San Francisco, CA
Photograph: Michael Sharkey

Andy and Tanner Both 16
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