A spate of gay teen suicides, including that of 18-year-old Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, has focused attention on homophobic bullying and resulted in the “It Gets Better’’ project, a YouTube campaign aimed at offering support to gay teens and young people. We asked several well-known Bostonians to share their memories of growing up gay, and they accepted, revealing the fear and loneliness they lived with and the strength they’ve achieved. Here are their stories, in their own words.

Gregory Maguire: Author of many books, including “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”

Ryan Landry: Actor/playwright and cofounder of theater group The Gold Dust Orphans

David Brown: Meteorologist, WCVB-TV Channel 5

Tiffani Faison: Chef at Rocca Kitchen & Bar, former contestant on “Top Chef”

Bryan Rafanelli: Event planner, oversaw the recent high-profile nuptials of Chelsea Clinton

Melissa Ferrick: Singer-songwriter

Jarrett Tomás Barrios: President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

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