Gay 16th birthday - HELP!

[teraspawn]

A (male) friend of mine has invited me to his 16th.  I don't really know him that well - just that he's gay (and likes the smell of board markers, but I have rejected that as a gift idea).

Besides the obvious (condoms, which I may well be to embarrassed to buy), can anyone think of something I could make for the poor boy?

[ysolda]

i wouldn't make anything too gay-related, the novelty wears pretty thin kinda quickly (you also might want to check whos going to be there, his grandmother might not be too impressed by the pack of condoms)
any mutual friends that might be able to help with what hes into? maybe you should just get him a gift voucher for a music store or something like that. Or get him something that means something to you - like your favourite album, book etc, or maybe a mix cd, then even if he doesnt like it that much he can appreciate that you put some effort into it.
But to be honest depending on the kind of party i wouldn't bother too much about a gift I doubt he'll be expecting it

[msmeow]

I don't think you need to think of it as getting a gift for a gay guy.  He's just one of your friends.  What would you make for other friends of yours? What kinds of clothes does he wear?  What kind of music does he like?  Favorite TV shows or movies?  (Would you really give other friends that you don't know that well condoms?  Maybe I'm just old.)
And while he may not be expecting a gift, everyone loves presents!  It shows you thought about him. 

[JazzyBee]

i agree with msmeow...just think of it as getting or making a gift for a friend.maybe this way you will come up with some more ideas. Think of any one thing he lieks...like a hobby of his, and you could do a
_________ in a box kinda gift!

[tree.hugger.chick]

I agree with other people- don't get "gay" stuff or whatever. Don't go along with the stereotype. As a lesbian, I can tell you that it gets really old, really fast. I'd say that since you don't know him all THAT well, just observe him when you can- what clothes he wears, if he carries around books or whatever. If he wears band tees and such, get him a gift card to hot topic or something, if he's the type that carries books around, get him something from Barnes and Noble, etc. etc. Or you could get crafty and make something spiffy from off here I've made things like the Scrabble memo board and such as gifts, and they always go over pretty well. Something unique, you know?

[Poprocksandcoke]

Just a question; Why does his sexuality matter at all? I think I might just be being ignorant though.

[teraspawn]

Well, the only conversation that I've ever had with him that's lasted more than five minutes was along the lines of:

"Being gay sucks."

"Try being a lesbian sometime, it's no fun either."

(we're both still in school, and people are not particularly receptive to our sexualities)

And for the record, I'm not making a big deal out of it for no reason - he likes to do the whole "yay!  I am so gayer than you!" thing and all of our mutual friends tend to completely ignore it and skate around his sexuality, shutting up if they start talking about boys near him or whatever, so I really want to show him that at least I know where he's coming from.

I have now decided on jellybeans and a card involving much nudity.  Thanks for the advice.