Reply #57: Thanks, and Nice to Meet You! [View All]

[CorpGovActivist]

"I am sorry for the inner agony you suffered all those years. I'm glad things are going so much better and smoother for you now!"

Oh, I was happy enough. It's just one facet of who I am. But yeah, I've been happier since I've been able to live my life out, proud, and with that facet put back in its proper perspective. It's an inherent part of who I am.

"A few of my longtime friends from way back in high school came out, one by one."

I was the first in my class of 469. I introduced my partner to the friends I cared about most the Christmas before the 10-year reunion, to ensure we had a core group of people to socialize with, and to set him at ease. After I came out that Christmas, a bunch of others began to come out.

"What strikes me about each of them is how much happier and content on a deep inner level they are, since they did so. What unbearable loads on their shoulders and their hearts finally got lifted. How much freer, and less burdened they appear."

Yup, it shows up in the face, the gait, the posture, the whole shebang.

"Each of them has settled into a long, sustaining monogamous relationship. One couple adopted a little girl from South America. Another went through in vitro, became pregnant with twins, and now has a very happy, busy, noisy family. Another couple has weathered some of the most annoying storms brought about mainly by work situations and hours - they're still childless. But the point is - they're HAPPY!"

Kids are still a subject of discussion for us.

"When they go home at night, they are no longer lonely and isolated and depressed."

My partner can relate to that more than I can. I went from high school, to college - where I dated, to the summer after - when I met my partner. However, I did write a note to God in my journal two weeks before we met: citing loneliness after my breakup, I asked God to send me someone to love. That was one prayer that got answered lickety split.

"In some cases, the family took a long time to understand and be supportive, and finally to live and let live. It makes me wonder how they coped, suffering in silence, confusion, fear, and trepidation, worrying that someone they cared about deeply would no longer love them because of who they really were."

Sometimes, it's simply the desire not to disappoint. I have friends with horrible family reaction stories.

"Thank you for sharing your story and your journey. You will have inspired, and strengthened, more than a few people with it."

I see so many encouraging signs for the LGBT youth of today. Those of us who can relate owe a debt to those that come behind, especially on such important issues as http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gay+teen+suicide+rate">the LGBT teen suicide rate, http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gay+teen+homelessness">homelessness, and http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gay+teen+scholarship">educational opportunities.

Thank you for your kind words, and very nice to meet you!

:toast:

- Dave