As a child he felt so self-conscious he was afraid to go to a public swimming pool in case other people stared at him.

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He was afraid to take the lead on this issue until he felt it could be politically justified.

CNN: Obama tries to reset with gay community

It felt like an awkward first date, but he showed he is not afraid to address difficult subjects in front of a skeptical audience.

CNN: Obama, Romney make same mistake on Hispanics