Seven in Gay Years

[kybearfuzz]

From Family Guy's "Something Something Something Darkside"
January 2010 marks my seventh anniversary for coming out.

When I first came out I thought about all the things I would gain from finally doing it -- dating, a boyfriend, a relationship, experiencing all the gushy things that I observed watching my siblings do the dating thing during my teen years. Add to that a healthy amount of fear of the things I would lose potentially -- friends, family, etc. -- those who wouldn't be able to handle the idea of my being gay. In reality, neither of them has happened exactly as I had hoped or feared, proof that we often think in extremes when the middle ground is more realistic.

To date, I haven't found my guy yet. I date and then take a break for a bit when things don't progress to other things. I'm a bit more seasoned about it, agreeing that being solo isn't always a bad thing. In terms of losing friends, I can't say that has happened either. There are two people in my life that I wished had taken it better.

The first is the twin. He and I have discussed my gay life only the one time, the day I came out to him seven years ago. One day soon after that, I tried once to talk to him about it, only to have him say, "I don't want to talk about that stuff." I've not brought it up since, though I have basically come to the decision that I would take little interest in his personal life outside family since he has no interest in mine. It sounds extreme, but to be honest, it's really not much different than the way we were before.

The second was my college roommate. I didn't come out to him, but rather it just happened in a round about way. A couple of years ago, just after the Christmas holidays, I was on the road on a work trip and ended up near his home in Eastern Kentucky. Since I was in the neighborhood, I called his house from the motel and asked his lovely wife if I could stop by. She said yeah and I drove over to see everyone -- him, his wife, and their four children, including his new baby girl. I came in, said hi, talked with his missus and played with the boys, but the entire time my friend was a bit quiet. He didn't say much during my the entire visit really. Then his mother stopped in, she lives just next door. Usually when she ran into me, she'd give me a hug and check my ring finger, asking why I hadn't gotten married yet. This time, she didn't, and was nearly as reserved as her son. After an hour of visiting and taking a few photos with the kids, I decided to head back. His wife was as sweet as ever, but my former roommate didn't even get off the couch to walk me out.

That night I felt something was off, but I didn't think about it too much. He was a new father again, with a small baby that likely wasn't sleeping through the night, so I figured he was tired. His mom and his dad had both had health problems so I attributed her behavior to that. Life went on.

It was during the following summer when the puzzle pieces actually came together thanks to a missing piece provided by my roommate's younger brother. He and I both play in the local gay softball league here. Apparently, months earlier during a weekend home (possibly the holidays), his family was sitting down to dinner and discussing this and that and the topic of softball had come up. He had mentioned to his parents (and likely his brother) that it was a gay league. When they asked how he had found out about such a league, he let it slip that I had told him about it and played on one of the other teams. I'm not sure what questions were asked after that piece of trivia was brought forth, but the cool attitude from his family seemed to be well explained I think. I've not been in contact with him since that night, but he's not contacted me either.

In the journeys we take, there are always bumps in the road, even on those familiar roads that we've not traveled on for some time. This is growing up, this is gaining experience, and even the bad ones are valuable. I wish things were different between me and the twin and me and the roommate, but I can't change them. I admit I'm not the "in your face" sort, but I am here. Change isn't the goal, it's acceptance, and I have learned to accept that not everyone is capable or willing.

Still, for these two people who do not accept me that way, there are so many new folks that have. My friends here in the Cincinnati area, my buddies online, some I have met and others I hope to someday, and the even occasional guy I go out with. I certainly wouldn't change any of that.

Comments

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Happy Anniversary Mark. It seems like a lot of us go through the "Don't ask don't tell" with our families. I know I am. Big hugs!!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Big hugs, Sean :)