How do I tell my friend I love him

[RickyD]

My friend and I have known each other since we were 2 years old and I love him. He already knows I'm gay and I think he's gay to. He always has his hands on me and is real chill around me. So how do I tell him I love him?

[dragon08]

You should tell him that you like him rather than love him first and see how he reacts. Love is a very strong word.

Also keep in mind that you might be reading into things that aren't really there. I have a knack for falling for straight guys. They always seem ambiguously asexual and I always have "proof" that they are gay like touches, they never talk about women, they were "flirting" with me, etc. Then they usually turn out to be straight despite everything.

Just keep in mind that you might be seeing what you want to see. I don't think telling him that you like him will damage the relationship since you guys have known each other for so long and he is already comfortable with the fact that you are gay.

When you guys are hanging out ask him to talk and tell him that you like him. Let him know that you don't want things to get weird between you two. Then, Ask him if there's a chance that he feels the same hopefully he says yes and go from there.

[nobodyspecial]

I'd start slowly by telling him what a good friend he is and how you like him. Since you are unsure of his orientation, maybe find a way to sneak into conversation how you don't believe in outing someone who is not ready to come out; that way, if he is gay or bi, he would be comfortable in doing so. Good luck.

[G-Lexington]

Tough to give advice, because you need to know both of the players involved before you can really give good advice on how to approach him and what to say. You're dealing with a guy who might still be straight (straight guys can be touchy-feely), or might be gay but not ready to come out of the closet, or he might be gay and not interested in you "like that". I think the smart move is to say something in such a way that doesn't assume anything. So you might find a time to say something like this to him - "every since I came out to you, I've been thinking about what sort of guy I might like to date. And the more I think about it, I'd really like somebody like you...but, y'know, gay...and interested in me."

This leaves him opening no matter what his position is. If he's straight, he can just take the compliment and say "Well, hope you find someone like that soon." If he's not ready to come out, he can change the subject. But if he's gay and interested, he now has a golden opportunity to say so.

Lex