When I was young I felt lonely
I thought I’d never find somebody else like me
In a playground full of big bullies
“You should go and hang out with the girls” they teased

Little jokes and silly names
It’s all fun and games
But now I’m at the bar with all of my good mates
And one of them asks what it’s like to be gay

So I say
People stare when you’re holding hands
And make you feel like you’re only half a man
Strangers flash you crooked smiles
That’s why I don’t get out for more than just a while

People mock and people shame
’Cause they think I’m strange
But I pick the pieces up and just move on
Somehow I find the patience to keep me strong

Now when I turn on the TV
It’s rainbow clouds and and rainbow crowds across the screen
But I have never found my peace
My hidden scars and troubled heart took over me
You don’t know what it feels like
To cry out your eyes
At 4 in the morning when nobody’s around
And you can finally scream out loud and proud

‘Cause people stare when you’re holding hands
And make you feel like you’re only half a man
Strangers flash you judgy eyes
That’s why I don’t get out for more than just a while

When you were young you made big plans
But they think you’re damned
So you let the tough guys troll, the haters hate
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay

What it’s like
This is what it’s like
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay

What it’s like
This is what it’s like
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay
You might have clicked this song
‘Cause you thought it’d be happy
Thought you’d get a laugh
Thought it’d be amusing
Well I’m here to tell it like it is

But I still hope and I still pray
Someday things will change
That little boy all alone on the playground
Could really cheer up if he heard this song

‘Cause one day
People won’t stare when you’re holding hands
They’ll love you even if you love another man
You’ll put on your own big smile
And spread it across the world for a million miles

You’ll hold on to your big plans
And you’ll understand
You have all the power you need
To make a change
And show the whole world what it’s like to be gay

This is what it’s like
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay
Oh oh
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay

What it’s like
This is what it’s like
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay

What it’s like
This is what it’s like
‘Cause this is what it’s like
What it’s like to be gay