Nine Years Out of the Closet
Jan. 12th, 2012 05:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kybearfuzzThere was a day nine years ago this month that I looked in the mirror and admitted to myself that I was gay. It's hard to believe it took so long and so much effort to say such a thing, but it was. After that, it got easier to say. I wish I could recall the exact date, but oddly that date got lost in the excitement of things.
Nine Years and Many More to Go
"Born Gay" shirt by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
chrisglass
Yesterday, I was talking to a coworker and friend. She told me that during lunch her boss had remarked that it took her a long time to "figure Mark out." They were talking about past employees and had somehow come to employees they knew or suspected was gay. She said she wasn't derogatory about it, but just curious.
I'm not upset by this. Realistically, I have worked in this office for years. Most people are curious enough of everyone's lives that they realize they've never heard me talk of a girlfriend or a wife. At my age, I think it's natural for people to wonder if maybe getting married to a woman isn't really my thing. So "figuring Mark out" shouldn't be difficult to folks who pay a bit of attention.
One of the great perks of being out is doing things that I would likely never have done while in the closet (And I ain't just talking about the secks). Friday night, I'm going to see Miss Magnolia Beaumont Goes to Provincetown, a play about the spirit of a southern debutante finding herself trapped in the body of the thirty-year-old gay man on his way to Provincetown, Massachusetts for a birthday vacation. Someday, I'll hope to visit Provincetown... sans the possession by a Southern belle.
Luckily I'm one of those already. :)
Nine Years and Many More to Go
"Born Gay" shirt by
chrisglassYesterday, I was talking to a coworker and friend. She told me that during lunch her boss had remarked that it took her a long time to "figure Mark out." They were talking about past employees and had somehow come to employees they knew or suspected was gay. She said she wasn't derogatory about it, but just curious.
I'm not upset by this. Realistically, I have worked in this office for years. Most people are curious enough of everyone's lives that they realize they've never heard me talk of a girlfriend or a wife. At my age, I think it's natural for people to wonder if maybe getting married to a woman isn't really my thing. So "figuring Mark out" shouldn't be difficult to folks who pay a bit of attention.
One of the great perks of being out is doing things that I would likely never have done while in the closet (And I ain't just talking about the secks). Friday night, I'm going to see Miss Magnolia Beaumont Goes to Provincetown, a play about the spirit of a southern debutante finding herself trapped in the body of the thirty-year-old gay man on his way to Provincetown, Massachusetts for a birthday vacation. Someday, I'll hope to visit Provincetown... sans the possession by a Southern belle.
Luckily I'm one of those already. :)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2012-01-12 10:53 am (UTC)EDIT:
While P-town is not my favourite place in the whole world (a town dedicated to accessorising), I'd be delighted to play host and tour guide. Get yer arse out to Boston, handsome.
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Date: 2012-01-12 01:32 pm (UTC)Many a friend has told me to come to P-Town, including a coworker, so it would be fun to see it. Boston is very intriguing too though :)
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Date: 2012-01-12 12:16 pm (UTC)Pointing out a silly coincidence - Martin MooseyCat was born sometime this month nine years ago too. Don't know the exact date because he was dumped at a farm when he was around three months old. I can't believe nine years have gone by.
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Date: 2012-01-12 01:53 pm (UTC)And I think such kitties are great pets. Time does go by quickly.
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Date: 2012-01-12 12:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 01:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 12:34 pm (UTC)HUGS!
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Date: 2012-01-12 01:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 01:42 pm (UTC)Second - where do I get a shirt like that?
Third - what's wrong with having a Southern belle on your arm? ;-)
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Date: 2012-01-12 01:55 pm (UTC)Second -- I looked on Chris' website and the shirt isn't listed. Send me an email with your size and I'll grab you one next time he has a booth up.
Third -- I was talking about being possessed by the spirit of a Southern belle. I'd rather not have one ON my arm, she'd probably be gnawing on it like some crazed drunk Lesbian I know. :D
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Date: 2012-01-12 02:48 pm (UTC)Just the fact that you color coordinate your shirts is proof enough that you bat for our team!
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Date: 2012-01-12 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 02:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 03:56 pm (UTC)If asked, I'm honest and tell them. In the old days, I'd have been horrified to admit it, but I've grown very comfortable in my skin now.
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Date: 2012-01-12 03:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 03:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 03:43 pm (UTC)and that play looks like a hoot. Makes me want to come out there just to see it LOL
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Date: 2012-01-12 03:57 pm (UTC)And the play was here during Cincinnati's Fringe Festival and was declared a favorite, so I really wanted to see it this round. I think it'll be awesome :)
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:05 pm (UTC)looks like the play was in Southern California a few years back. Wish it would come to NorCal.
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Date: 2012-01-12 05:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 05:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 01:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 10:14 pm (UTC)He he he he he
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Date: 2012-01-14 03:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-18 04:58 pm (UTC)Hehehehe
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Date: 2012-01-12 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 06:02 pm (UTC)And thank you ... without that event we wouldn't have your shirtless hotness every Friday!
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Date: 2012-01-12 07:25 pm (UTC)As for FYFF, we need to see more of yours! I need to keep up with my gym visits to maintain such photos!
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Date: 2012-01-13 01:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 01:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 03:30 am (UTC)It's been 12 years for me--although it's hard to pin down--the admission versus the action....I can't recall the moment I stepped out of the closet, all I know is that I'm glad I did.
Love that pic :)
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Date: 2012-01-13 01:16 pm (UTC)You did it 12 years ago? I don't know why, but I would have guessed you had been out longer than that.
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Date: 2012-01-13 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-13 05:56 am (UTC)I sort of lucked out by choosing the profession of theatre, where our kind is hardly a rarity. Still, the first step is always self-acceptance, and that may have been the hardest thing I've ever done. Looking back though, I realize that lots of people (not necessarily friendly ones) around me knew I was gay ... the only thing that got me through was the fact that the entire society practiced strict 'don't ask, don't tell' in those days.
Love your T-shirt ...now that's something nobody saw in the 1960's ;0) Thanks for posting ...
Hugs to you, my friend.
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Date: 2012-01-13 01:57 pm (UTC)And the tee-shirt is one of my favorites. I should wear my "Straight Friendly" shirt next time. It's a great shade of orange.
Big hugs!!! :)