Q: I know I’m gay, and I’ve dated before, but I’ve always been good friends with this guy who is also gay. he recently told me he really likes me and always wanted a relationship. He’s in another part of the state now, and a relationship would be hard, but should I try to forge one anyway?
A1: If both he and you care about each other enough to commit to a long-distance relationship, there should be no reason for you to avoid one. If you don't feel that it would mess with your friendship, and you believe he's worth the trials of long-distance, go ahead!
A2: I agree it is especially possible recently with technology. There are several chat applications such as Yahoo Messenger, Aim, iChat, Windows Live, MSN, Google Chat and more. Also you can have a video chat which feels more realistic. If you really care about him then go for it, it takes getting used to, but it may be worth it. One bonus is that the online community is usually more open and you won't have to worry about people discriminating against you.
A3: I don’t know what your ideal in dating is, but I personally need to have someone available in person. Sometimes there's just no replacement for the real deal of having someone there with you, and I think you need to weigh how important that is to you. Also, think about how a relationship might weigh in on your friendship, and if that risk is worth it.
A4: If you two live far enough away that most of your interaction would be online and/or on the phone but close enough that you could still see each other once or twice a month (and the distance is really the issue), I'd say go for it. If you're using the distance as an excuse because you're scared of ruining your friendship, however, I'd really think about it and talk to him about it before committing to anything. There is always the risk of not being able to go back to being just friends if you break up, and while I personally believe that it's better to try for the relationship, you should consider both sides because it's a valid issue.
A5: The first thing I noticed when I read your question is that you don't mention your feelings for him at all, which makes me think you might not have a romantic attachment to him, and you're somehow still reluctant to turn him down.
If I'm wrong, and you've been waiting your whole life for him to ask you out, then go for it. Long distance relationships are work, and they're work that can have its benefits, so long as you are both clear about what you need from the relationship. Make sure to set rules that you both agree to and understand, and remember that sometimes long distance relationships take patience and flexibility.
If I'm right, or you're not sure, it sounds to me like your thinking is really more along the lines of, "I like guys, he's a guy, he likes me, I have no reason to say no" than "I like this guy, he likes me." In my opinion, there's a big reason to say no if your only excuse for not turning him down is that you can't tell him you don't swing that way. I know it's sometimes hard to find a date at our age if you're not straight, but you really shouldn't feel like you have to settle. You're not going to have romantic chemistry with every nice (or even cute) guy who comes along. Just because you're friends doesn't mean you'll necessarily make good romantic partners. Take some time to figure out if you actually return his feelings; if he's waited this long and he actually wants an honest response from you, he'll give you more time. That way you can give him an answer based on your own feelings rather than his hope or the fact that he happens to be attracted to you and of the sex you're attracted to, and you run a much lower risk of ruining your friendship by accepting a relationship you soon after realize you don't want.
