DR. WALLACE: I am a 19-year-old female college sophomore. My grade point average is 4.0 (all As) and I'm a varsity basketball player. I have never taken drugs, smoked cigarettes or been involved with alcohol.

I love my parents and attend church regularly. I believe in God and believe I am one of God's precious children. I also happen to be gay. I want to remain anonymous because my parents are not yet aware of this fact, although I'm not embarrassed because I'm not "straight."

Dr. Wallace, I do enjoy your column even though I don't always agree with your advice. You do help the vast majority of troubled teens and I'm happy my newspaper prints your column. At least you are willing to help. That's more than I can say for most "advice givers." It seems all they want to do is get a few laughs — at the expense of the troubled.

I'm writing this letter in hopes that you will print it. I just want people to know that all gays are not wild, disease-crazed druggies and criminals.

I did enjoy your informative article on AIDS. The public must know about this disease, what it does, how it is contracted and who gets it. In the case of AIDS, ignorance is not bliss. — Nameless, Columbus, Ohio

NAMELESS: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA is quite an achievement. Since I was a varsity high school basketball coach, I always enjoy hearing about students who participate in this wonderful sport.

I totally agree that sexual orientation has nothing to do with being a law-abiding citizen, superb scholar and athlete, and a wonderful person. You are an excellent example!

NO LOVE IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

DR. WALLACE: I'm responding to the teenager who is constantly being physically abused by her boyfriend. You are absolutely correct in telling her that she must end the relationship immediately, even if she goes to the police for help. I totally agree that unless she wants to become a statistic, she should never see the guy again.

Every day, women of all ages enter hospitals as the result of physical damage inflicted on them by men who "love" them. Time and time again, these guys say they won't do it again, but unless they get professional therapy, they will. I know from experience. Guys who inflict physical pain on their girlfriends or wives rarely want to end that relationship because they enjoy the control through fear they instill in their female companions. The guys know this and rarely want the abusive relationship to end.

This young lady who wrote to you must get out of this relationship before she is severely beaten or, worse, beaten to death. Believe me when I say there is no love whatsoever in an abusive relationship.

I am now with a wonderful guy who truly loves me and never has and never will abuse me. This physically abused teenager will someday find someone who will love her and not abuse her. She should start her search immediately. — Happy, Michigan City, Ind.

HAPPY: Thanks for the excellent advice from someone who has experienced physical abuse from a boyfriend. Your words will help many young women.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Charles Henry