Spree Magazine meets an enthusiastic and happy boy that radiates pure life energy and a strong zest for life. Simon Andre (17) is at the same time a boy that values the importance of sharing opinions and views on all aspects of life. In other words, he is not afraid to tell you what he thinks about himself, others or the world we live in - something we got to learn more about in this interview.

What do you do now?

- I attend second year of high school with specialization on media- and communication courses. School is fine, some challenges exists, but luckily we have a lot of project assignments that make it possible for me to work independently.

Describe yourself with three words?

- Happy, enthusiastic and kind.

What is the best thing about your life now?

- My boyfriend. We have been together now for three months.

What is the most fun thing you have ever experienced?

- I've done a lot of fun things, but I look back and remember the time in junior high school as particularly fun. It was a new and exciting phase that gave me many new friends.

What do you want to work with in the future?

- I want to become a music teacher. I love music and have even been in the school music corps since I was about ten years old. I play euphonium, which is a small tuba-like instrument.

What do you do in your spare time?

- I am with friends or my boyfriend. Otherwise, I play in a band, I work out, do swimming, watch movies or spend time in front of the computer.

Are you openly gay?

- Yes, I am open now. But I do not go around telling everyone, but I always tell those who ask. I told a friend the first time as senior in junior high school, but have known it since I was around 12 years old

What skill do you master well and could teach other people?

- Perhaps playing on brass instruments.

What are you doing in five years from now?

- I probably attend college or university, or I am studying to become a teacher. But I must also say that I have not planned everything in detail yet, and still keep all possibilities open.

What inspires you?

- Smart people. People who have something wise to say.

Which issues engage you?

- Gay rights. I believe that we should have all the rights as others. I sometimes get provoked by the old attitudes that still exist, for example in some religious communities today. Why can't they just keep their outdated opinions by themselves, and stop interfering in others affairs. It must be better that a child is adopted by two parents who care, instead of starving on the streets of Uganda.

Are you mostly positive or negative?

- I am generally very positive and happy. Maybe not when I get up early in the morning or in other similar situations, but I like to be independent and think positively - that is, to not be dependent on others to like or accept me to feel good.

Are you mostly spontaneous or do you prefer to have plans?

- I am spontaneous.

Are you outgoing or more shy?

- Outgoing. I always like to get to know new people.

What makes you happy?

- When others are happy.

What talent do you have that most people might not be aware of?

- That I can be objective. I am often opinionated, but I can also be objective.

What do you think surprises others most about yourself?

- That I listen to hardcore and punk music. I like different types of music also, but I mostly listen to these genres now. I also like to support local artists by choosing to buy their music.

If you could trade role with anyone for a day, who would you choose to be?

- Perhaps the Sun King, Louis XIV. It would be fun to experience what it was like to live in his extravagant surroundings. At the same time, I would also like to try something completely opposite, for example to live on the street as heroinist, to see how this actually is.

Do you have a philosophy of life?

- Let people do what they want as long as they do not harm others.

What do you want more than anything else in your life now?

- Move away from home and become independent.

What do you prefer, PC or MAC?

- I have both, and hate and love them both equally.

What is your most romantic moment?

- I have so many of them, so it is difficult to only choose one.

Have you been or are you in love?

- I have both been and I am currently also in love.

What do you look forward to the most when you become 18 years?

- That I can go to school without my mother interfering with signatures, approvals, and the like. I also look forward to get the drivers license.

Are you involved in the local gay community?

- Yes, I go regularly to local queer youth meetings. The environment is good and I have gotten to know many queer people in the area, but I also think there are areas we can improve on. There are for example what I call the "tyranny of beauty," which is that everyone should be beautiful, and that is just not how the reality is. Those who are less beautiful, or does not look like we think we should look, feel less worthy, which in itself is unacceptable.

What advice would you give to others who are still in the closet?

- Do not worry about what others think about you, do not hide who you are; be yourself.

What type of relationship do you prefer, a passionate or a calm and relaxed one?

- Passionate.

Are you concerned with existential questions?

- No, I do not believe in spirits, ghosts or gods. I may mention that I am also a member of the Human Ethical Youth Association.

What is difficult to talk about?

- Nothing. I am open to talk about everything.

Tell a random selected fact about yourself?

- I always use white socks.

What world causes would you like to support today?

- To abolish the death penalty, something I am against anyway. But there are many things I am passionate about, and especially efforts to protect animals. I would like to be a vegetarian and also avoid all animal products such as eggs, milk, honey and the like. Right now I eat meat and other products, but I live at home, and for practical reasons it is difficult to change the practice immediately. Anyway, I do not judge those who have different viewpoints than I have, and respect that others choose different practices.

What is needed to create peace on earth?

- That people should start to think more about others than themselves.

What is success for you?

- To be happy with oneself.